Big Paydays for PFs Frye, Johnson
Two bench power forwards received two big paydays on Thursday. Amir Johnson agreed to a five year, $34M contract with the Toronto Rapotrs, and Channing Frye agreed to a five-year/$30M contract with the Phoenix Suns, keeping them with the teams they are the most comfortable with.
(photo courtesy of Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Frye, 27, wanted to come back to Phoenix after being virtually anonymous with the Portland Trail Blazers for the past two seasons. His revival was noticed by a few teams, including the Chicago Bulls, and one of the teams he used to play for, the New York Knicks. After playing with Steve Nash and being coached under Alvin Gentry, Frye's main choice was to stay in the Desert. He averaged 11.8 points per game while shooting 44% from 3-point range. He could become the starter should Amar'e Stoudemire leaves Phoenix.
Johnson, 23, averaged 6.2 points and 4.8 rebounds per game, and showed his durability to the team, playing in all 82 of the Raptors' games this season. He had about four teams interested in his services, before ultimately deciding to stay with the Raptors. He could compete for a starting job with the team, especially with the likely scenario that Chris Bosh leaves the team.
The players are unable to sign their contacts until the Free Agency moratorium period is lifted on July 8th.
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