Channing Frye opts out of his Phoenix Suns deal
It was widely expected that Phoenix Suns’ power forward Channing Frye would opt out of the final year of his contract.
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Frye has battled a heart issue – he missed the entire 2012-2013 season with an enlarged heart before returning to the court last season. Frye knows that injuries can crop up at any time and is due for a raise, which is why most believed he would eventually opt out.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports, Frye has officially opted out.
"Phoenix Suns forward Channing Frye has opted out of the final season of his contract and become an unrestricted free agent, league sources told Yahoo Sports.Frye passed on his player option for $6.8 million for the 2014-15 season, which would’ve been the final season of a five-year, $30 million deal. The Suns were notified of Frye’s decision on Monday.The Suns have a desire to re-sign Frye, sources said, but much will be determined about that viability through the draft and possible trades."
The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State are expected to pursue Frye. New Warriors’ head coach Steve Kerr has already made his desire to sign a stretch-four a priority. The Miami Heat are also expected to show interest.
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. The 31-year old Frye was the eighth-overall pick in the first round of the 2005 draft by the New York Knicks. He has also played for the Portland Trail Blazers.