We love it when Arizona Basketball or Football players get to be together after they leave school, this time Channing Frye and Luke Walton join forces on the Los Angeles Lakers.
A huge blockbuster trade was announced by Woj as well as Tania Ganguli on the NBA Trade deadline between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Channing Frye, the Cavs 2018 draft pick and former Washington Husky Isaiah Thomas will come to the Lakers for Larry Nance Jr. and Jordan Clarkson who are on their way to Cleveland. Thomas and Frye have expiring contracts so we will see if Frye retires or he and Thomas stay but Ramona Shelburne says the Lakers plan on keeping them.
According to Magic Johnson and Rob Pelinka, as mentioned in their press conference aired on Periscope, IT (Thomas) is happy to come play where his dad grew up (Inglewood), and Larry Nance Jr. is going to play in his home state.
Arizona Wildcats Basketball
Luke Walton and Frye played together at Arizona from 2001-2003, the teammates will be reunited. This is Frye’s 13th season in the NBA and he has seen his minutes reduced and increased over those 13 years. In Cleveland, Frye went from averaging 18.9 minutes per game in 2016-17 to 12.4 minutes per game in 2017-18. Hopefully he will see more of the court on Los Angeles.
Why Frye played for Cleveland he, along with Richard Jefferson, helped the Cavs win their first NBA Championship. I am a true believer that without those two on the roster, the Cavs may not have pulled it out.
I feel these veterans brought leadership, teamwork, and levity to the team. The two started their Road Trippin’ podcast and social media antics while with the Cavs. I didn’t know the Cavs had any chemistry until I saw snaps from Jefferson to be honest.
After their Champion season and parade in Cleveland, Jefferson was traded to the Denver Nuggets. This resulted in Frye having a big cry, losing his Arizona brother and teammate, but then did his best to carry the levity veteran torch on the Cavs.
Something had to change in Cleveland, the team was falling apart mentally and on the court. Isaiah Thomas never seemed to fit in or even want to play on the team which was evident after he came back from injury. Plus Lakers Legend Kobe Bryant and Thomas got close when Thomas lost his sister.
Frye is hysterical on social media. Combine Frye with Kuz (Kyle Kuzma) and Lonzo Ball’s antics and the stage is set for some great behind the scenes fun. Let’s hope for Luke, it translates to more chemistry on the team. You have to follow Frye on Instagram, he left this message for the Cleveland fans he is leaving behind:
Former Arizona Wildcat Channing Frye sending his final goodbye to Cavs fans after being traded to the Lakers. pic.twitter.com/68pa1wz2kq
— The Wildcaster (@TheWildcaster) February 8, 2018
Here’s Luke talking about the trade but no one asks him about Channing, shoot!
Must Read: More on ZZ about the Arizona Basketball team..
Luke has got to be a happy camper this morning. He gets a buddy to coach, he gets a veteran to help mold his young team. He gets one more Wildcat in the Lakers Organization (Jesse Mermuys, Jud Buechler, Isaiah Fox, and Miles Simon). And he gets sensation Isaiah Thomas who will fill Jordan Clarkson’s position on the Lakers. But the best part of all of this? I get to write about these Wildcats for ZonaZealots and the LakeShowLife.