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Orlando Magic rumors: Channing Frye to serve as a leader

By Andrew Melnick

Mar 16, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Phoenix Suns forward Channing Frye (8) reacts to a free throw against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Suns beat the Raptors 121-113. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 16, 2014; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Phoenix Suns forward Channing Frye (8) reacts to a free throw against the Toronto Raptors at Air Canada Centre. The Suns beat the Raptors 121-113. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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After having an excellent year in his return from an enlarged heart, Phoenix Suns’ big man Channing Frye cashed in, signing a four-year, $32 million deal with the Orlando Magic. Frye should provide the Magic with the ability to stretch the floor, something they badly need.

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Cody Taylor of Basketball Insiders believes Frye could be in for a big season and thinks he will serve as a leader for the young Magic squad.

"Another stretch four that could have a great season is Frye in Orlando. The Magic were able to snag him up in free agency by giving him $32 million over four years. Many have said that the Magic overpaid for him, but it likely took a couple extra million to sway Frye into joining a team in a rebuild when he could have easily signed with a contender. As a team that will be searching for a leading scorer to fill the void left by Arron Afflalo and Jameer Nelson, Frye could step into that role. The main attraction the Magic had with Frye is his ability to shoot the three-ball as the team finished in the bottom half of the league in three-point shooting. The Magic should be able to count on more than the 11.1 points per game Frye scored last season in Phoenix as he will have a large part in the team’s offense."

Frye averaged 11.1 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game while shooting 43.2% from the floor, 37.0% from beyond the arc and 82.1% from the charity stripe last season. Frye has played for the Suns, New York Knicks and Portland Trail Blazers. The eighth-overall pick in the first round of the 2005 NBA Draft has put up 9.9 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.0 assists while shooting 44.3% from the floor, 38.5% from three and 81.5% from the foul line over the course of his eight-year career.

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