Valley of the Suns
Fansided

Top-ten free agent signings in Phoenix Suns history

By Adam Maynes

PHOENIX - DECEMBER 3: Steve Nash #13 and Quentin Richardson #3 of the Phoenix Suns talk during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on December 3, 2004 at America West Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. The Timberwolves won 97-93. 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 Licence Agreement. (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX - DECEMBER 3: Steve Nash #13 and Quentin Richardson #3 of the Phoenix Suns talk during the game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on December 3, 2004 at America West Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. The Timberwolves won 97-93. 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 Licence Agreement. (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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PHOENIX, AZ – APRIL 1: Phoenix Suns center Channing Frye #8 shoots a free throw during the game against the Los Angeles Clippers in an NBA game played on April 1, 2011 at U.S. Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 2011 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – APRIL 1: Phoenix Suns center Channing Frye #8 shoots a free throw during the game against the Los Angeles Clippers in an NBA game played on April 1, 2011 at U.S. Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 2011 NBAE (Photo by Barry Gossage/NBAE via Getty Images) /

6. Channing Frye

(20.1 WS / .111 WS per-48)

Home grown, Channing Frye entered the league out of the University of Arizona. A decent, if not underweight center, who struggled to find himself in the league unable to play against the bigger, more weighty centers he would have to oppose.

After two years in New York, then two more with Portland, Channing seemed lost and possibly on the verge of never finding a real niche in the NBA, a possible bust as a top-ten lottery draftee.

And then he met Steve Nash and Alvin Gentry.

Upon his signing with the Suns, Gentry made Frye an outside shooter. A player who had attempted a total of 70 3-pointers in four years (making 20). With Nash that all changed . Frye drained 343 in two seasons, his first the franchise’s last run in the playoffs, 2010. This skill-set and ability to stretch the floor allowed him to become one of the most potent stretch-centers in the league, and a lethal aid to Steve Nash. He was able to rebuild his career with Phoenix and literally at the hands of Nash, which at one point seemed over nearly after it had just started, but has now stretched through to today.

In the midst of Channing’s prime, he was struck by the news that he had an enlarged heart and was forced to miss the entire 2012-13 season. He came back the following year and started all 82 games, picking up nearly exactly where he left off, but with the Suns beginning their long rebuild and moving on from key players, Channing signed a free agent deal with the Orlando Magic.

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