File photo of power forward Channing Frye (#8) during his stint with the Phoenix Suns. (Photo : Reuters)
Speculations abound that one of the Cleveland Cavaliers' targets for their $10.5 million trade exception is Orlando Magic power forward Channing Frye.
Fansided recently reported that the 32-year-old veteran is available for "very little" and the Cavs were said to be keen on making a bid for him if negotiations to re-sign Tristan Thompson become fruitless.
The nine-year pro is known to be an impeccable outside shooter with three-point range for his size, which makes him one of the most reliable stretch fours in the league right now. If the Cavs will be able to acquire him, he would be the perfect backup for Kevin Love, who himself is also a great big man shooter, in David Blatt's system.
Frye has career averages of 9.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 24.6 minutes of playing time a night, mostly as a role player. But his best season was not that far off, back in 2010-2011, where he averaged 12.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and one block per game at 33 mpg for the Phoenix Suns.
Although he is "just a role guy", as Bleacher Report coined it, Frye can contribute not only steady numbers, scoring, and outside shooting off the bench but also the experience and veteran locker room leadership, something that LeBron James would most likely welcome.
The report also noted that apart from Love there are no other bigs in the Cavs bench that can consistently score a bucket beyond the three-point line, and so Frye would be able to contribute immensely in that aspect.
However, it remains to be seen if this deal would push through as contract talks with Thompson is still ongoing. Other teams would not let the opportunity to cheaply sign a player like Frye to pass by, though.
