ESPN Insider: Channing Frye could be good trade candidate

The Phoenix Suns have consistently maintained that this season is primarily about developing the team’s younger players.

The word “tank” is shunned, but there is an understanding that any lumps that may be associated with giving inexperienced players significant minutes will be worth it in the end.

So, one is left to wonder where some of the team’s veterans fit in.

It is with that in mind that Amin Elhassan, in an ESPN Insider piece, mentioned Channing Frye as one of the NBA’s “top fire-sale candidates.”

One of the preeminent stretch bigs prior to missing the entire 2012-13 season due to a heart condition, Frye still is trying to regain his stamina and timing, not to mention his touch. When healthy, he’s an elite 3-point shooter, and he’s done a good job of slowly expanding his game to include one-dribble pull-ups versus hard contests and mid- and low-post shots over smaller defenders.

Defensively, he’s an underrated post defender and an average defensive rebounder, but he probably would benefit from playing alongside an athletic defensive big. If he can show a return to form, Frye’s manageable contract ($6.6 million AAV) and skill set will make him a hot commodity in the fire-sale market.

The 30-year-old Frye is averaging 10 points and four rebounds in 26 minutes per game this season, and has career averages of 9.7 points and 5.2 rebounds per contest.

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