Fansided

Phoenix Suns will miss Channing Frye’s shooting

By Andrew Melnick

Apr 12, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Channing Frye (8) reacts to his team missing a shot against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Suns 101-98 and clinched a spot in the NBA playoffs. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 12, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Channing Frye (8) reacts to his team missing a shot against the Dallas Mavericks during the second half at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeated the Suns 101-98 and clinched a spot in the NBA playoffs. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Battling back from an enlarged heart that kept him out of the entire 2012-2013 season, big man Channing Frye was very good for the Phoenix Suns last season. In the offseason, he cashed in, inking a four-year, $32 million deal with the Orlando Magic. The Suns would love to have kept Frye but clearly didn’t want to spend that kind of money.

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Cray Allred of Hoops Rumors believes the Suns could miss Frye’s ability to stretch the floor.

"In a surprise signing, the Magic snatched the sharp-shooting Frye away from the Suns, who wanted to bring him back to their surprise-playoff roster. Frye is one of a few bigs that stretch the floor at an elite level, and the team signed another shooter in Anthony Tolliver to make up for Frye’s loss. Orlando’s deal with the 31-year-old was for four years and $32MM."

The Suns did sign Charlotte Hornets’ Anthony Tolliver, another solid shooting big man, to a two-year, $6 million deal. However, it is hard to believe he will impact the game like Frye did. Frye did a fantastic job of creating space in the lane for the Suns’ penetrating guards, Goran Dragic and Eric Bledsoe and helped them have the best seasons of their careers.

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. Tolliver averaged 6.1 points, 2.6 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game while shooting 42.0% from the field, 41.3% from the field and 80.5% from the charity stripe last season.

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