Los Angeles Lakers: 4 Reasons they should've kept Channing Frye

Los Angeles Lakers: 4 Reasons they should’ve kept Channing Frye

EL SEGUNDO, CA - FEBRUARY 12: Channing Frye #12 of the Los Angeles Lakers talks to the media 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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Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images /

3. He adds depth at center

Frye stands at 6-foot-11 and weighs a very robust 255 lbs. This gives him the height and girth to play center in today’s NBA, and in fact, he’s played the majority of his minutes in recent seasons at the 5.

As of now, the only “traditional” center on the Lakers’ roster is JaVale McGee. Although he should help the team, he can’t play more than about 15-20 minutes a game due to his asthma. The rest of the time they’ll have to depend on 4’s such as Lebron and perhaps even Michael Beasley to masquerade as a center, or on unproven and untested kids like Ivica Zubac or rookie Mo Wagner.

By being a good 3-point shooter at the 5, Frye also could’ve made opposing 5’s step away from the paint to close out on him. That would’ve opened up the lane and also made it easier for his teammates to grab offensive rebounds.

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