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Los Angeles Lakers: Channing Frye available to play

By Kenneth Teape

EL SEGUNDO, CA - FEBRUARY 12: Isaiah Thomas #7 and Channing Frye #12 of the Los Angeles Lakers look on during all access practice on February 12, 2018 at UCLA Heath Training Center in El Segundo, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
EL SEGUNDO, CA - FEBRUARY 12: Isaiah Thomas #7 and Channing Frye #12 of the Los Angeles Lakers look on during all access practice on February 12, 2018 at UCLA Heath Training Center in El Segundo, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Lakers big man Channing Frye practiced on Wednesday and will be suiting up tonight against the New Orleans Pelicans.

The Los Angeles Lakers have dealt with a number of injuries this season. After the All-Star break, they began to play some solid basketball but the injury bug hit and has caused them to go a little bit off track in recent games.

On Feb. 14, veteran Channing Frye made his debut with the Lakers. That was the only time he dressed, as he underwent an appendectomy on Feb 15. On Feb. 26 against the Atlanta Hawks, Josh Hart fractured a bone in his left hand. In the next game against the Miami Heat on March 1st, Brandon Ingram suffered a hip flexor, which was later diagnosed as a groin strain.

There has been a lot of discussion about when Hart and Ingram would be returning. Hart now has a target date of March 30th, which would be at the early part of the original timetable.

There was hope that Ingram would return tonight against the New Orleans Pelicans, but he missed practice on Wednesday. As a result, he was ruled out.

While Ingram didn’t get cleared to play against the Pelicans, Frye actually did. According to Bill Oram of the OC Register, Frye will be suiting up tonight against the Pelicans.

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This is great news for Frye and the Lakers. Frye has only appeared in one game with the Lakers since being acquired at the trade deadline from the Cleveland Cavaliers along with Isaiah Thomas. While he may not be a lock for the rotation right away, Frye does bring something to the table that the Lakers need in 3-point shooting.

Frye has developed into one of the better big man marksmen in the NBA. He is a career 38.8 percent shooter from 3-point range and will help the Lakers immensely in that area. With Frye back in the fold, the Lakers game plan doesn’t have to change much as he can fill a role similar to the one that Brook Lopez does as a stretch-5.

In addition to the 3-point shooting, Frye will provide valuable experience and leadership. The Lakers are a young team without many veterans to rely on. With Luol Deng inactive and away from the team, and Corey Brewer being released, Frye can fill the leadership void that has been left to Lopez for a majority of the season.

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Frye should be worked back into the rotation as Luke Walton has been playing his frontcourt players heavy minutes recently because of the injuries. Frye should get able to get between 11-15 minutes per game once he is up to speed.

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