EL SEGUNDO, CA - FEBRUARY 12: Channing Frye #12 of the Los Angeles Lakers poses for a portrait 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)Andrew D. Bernstein/Getty Images

Lakers News: Channing Frye Says 'Respect Is Always Due' for Team's Past Success

Kyle NewportApr 24, 2018

Channing Frye may have gone from a title contender to a team in rebuild mode at the 2018 NBA trade deadline, but he doesn't view the move as a downgrade in status.

Frye went to two consecutive NBA Finals as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers, helping the franchise win its first championship in 2016. However, after the Cavs had a rough time meshing following a busy offseason that featured a Kyrie Irving trade, the team decided to blow things up and retool at the deadline.

Along with two-time All-Star Isaiah Thomas, Frye was dealt to the Los Angeles Lakers in a flurry of moves by the Cavaliers. He averaged 5.8 points, 1.1 assists and 2.8 rebounds in 16.7 minutes over nine appearances in purple and gold.

TOP NEWS

Bleacher Report1w

With Jayson Tatum sidelined, Celtics' fourth-quarter comeback falls short in Game 7 loss to 76ers

Bleacher Report1w

DENVER NUGGETS VS GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS, NBA

Bleacher Report1w

The 12-year veteran—who is set to be a free agent this summer—may have been bummed to go from competing for a title to a team out of the playoffs, but he shut down any notion that the trade was a "demotion":

Los Angeles may be in the midst of a five-year playoff drought, but that doesn't change the fact that the franchise has 16 Larry O'Brien trophies, the second-most all-time.