Just before the trade deadline, Channing Frye was shipped to the Los Angeles Lakers alongside Isaiah Thomas and the Cleveland Cavaliers' 2018 first-round pick, while the Cavs acquired Larry Nance Jr. and Jordan Clarkson. While Frye is in the latter stages of his career, he still holds some value as an occasional bench contributor with his three-point shooting and invaluable veteran leadership. It is never easy to make a quick transition to a new team, but Frye should not struggle too much in this particular situation. Him and head coach Luke Walton played college together at the University of Arizona and know each other since.

Walton spoke about coaching his former teammate. According to Tim MacMahon from ESPN, Walton said:

“He was a freshman when I was at U of A. I’ve been yelling at him for years.”

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Frye is just three years younger than his new coach. They played two seasons together at Arizona in 2001-02 and 2002-03. Frye's freshman season was Walton's best with the Wildcats, as he averaged 15.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 6.3 assists with 47 percent shooting in almost 37 minutes per game. But Frye arguably outplayed his now-coach during his sophomore season, as the three-point specialist averaged 12.6 points and eight rebounds on 56.9 percent shooting from the field over 25.4 minutes a game.

Both then went on to become solid rotation NBA forwards. While Frye closes one of the last chapters in his career, Walton started a new one as a head coach. Frye was available to make his debut yesterday against the Dallas Mavericks, but Walton elected to sit him. His next chance to play is next Wednesday when the Lakers visit the New Orleans Pelicans.