Minnesota Timberwolves: 10 forward options in free agency
By Ben Beecken
5. Channing Frye
This is where we get into the debate over what is more important: a player with one outstanding skill, or a more well-rounded, versatile player that can contribute in multiple facets of the game.
Frye is the perfect example of that, as he’s largely a spot-up shooter at this stage of his career. While he’s actually a better rebounder than Cunningham, his defensive versatility surely isn’t quite where the Wolves would like it to be if they’re considering slotting him into the Nemanja Bjelica role.
Shooting, however, is where Frye makes his money. Two years ago, playing behind Kevin Love and alongside LeBron James in Cleveland, Frye converted on 40.9 percent of his 3-point attempts. Last year, however, split between the Cavaliers and the Lakers, he only made 33.9 percent of long-range tries, although it appears to be a blip on the radar given his career mark of 38.7 percent.
He did just turn 35, although shooting isn’t typically the first skill to drop off for a player as talented as Frye. It’s easy to see him contributing as a short-minute sharpshooter with the Wolves second unit, especially as the offense will surely be driven by the wing position and he won’t be asked to do much else.
Frye is a decent enough defender and rebounder at the power forward position to hold his own and still warrant minutes on a playoff contender. He’ll no doubt be looking for that opportunity after being forced to spend his post-trade deadline months with the lowly Lakers this past winter.