The Cleveland Cavaliers aren’t getting LeBron James back, but a member of their championship-winning team from 2016 is returning to the fold.
Channing Frye is reportedly headed back to Cleveland on a one-year deal. The 35-year-old forward played 44 games with the Cavaliers before a trade sent him to the Los Angeles Lakers. But it seems the Cavs are still interested in his talents, and he’ll be back on the roster this fall.
Yahoo’s Shams Charaina first reported the move on Saturday, clarifying that it’s a one-year deal for $2.4 million.
Free agent Channing Frye has agreed to a one-year, $2.4M deal with the Cleveland Cavaliers, league sources tell Yahoo.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 14, 2018
Frye was part of a trade deadline blockbuster that sent he and Isaiah Thomas to the Los Angeles Lakers for a package that netted the Cavaliers a postseason roster that included Rodney Hood, Larry Nance Jr. and Jordan Clarkson. That team ultimately fell to the Warriors, of course, and James joined that same Lakers team in free agency earlier this month. He’s already got big plans for next season, too.
I cannot wait to start off the year yelling at the refs like a hobo on bath salts, so when i get in the playoffs they say “oh it’s just Channing”
— Channing Frye (@channingfrye) June 7, 2018
It’s not an ideal consolation prize for Cavaliers fans, but it is another familiar face joining Kevin Love on the Cavs this fall. It looks like it will be hard to get the Cavs to part ways with Love this summer, and with a decent showing at Summer League we’re starting to see what Cleveland may look like next season. It’s not LeBron, but it is something to look forward to if you’re optimistic.
