The Los Angeles Lakers announced that forward Channing Frye had a successful Laparoscopic Appendectomy on Friday night in Cleveland, Ohio.
Frye missed Thursday’s contest against the Minnesota Timberwolves for personal reasons. He’ll spend the rest of the All-Star break in Cleveland with his family and will be re-evaluated in one week when he returns to Los Angeles.
The 34-year-old was acquired from the Cleveland Cavaliers at the NBA trade deadline last week, along with two-time All-Star Isaiah Thomas. He’s appeared in just one game for the Lakers thus far, logging 11 minutes in a loss against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Frye, a 12-year veteran, is reunited with Lakers head coach Luke Walton with this deal. The two played together at the University of Arizona from 2001-03.
Walton is hopeful that Frye will specifically mentor forwards Kyle Kuzma and Julius Randle, along with providing leadership to the rest of the young core as well.
Once healthy, Frye also stands to improve the Lakers’ woes from behind the arc this season. Over the course of his career, he has converted 38.8 percent of his field goal attempts from three-point land.
Frye is eligible for free agency this season, but hopes to impress the Lakers over the final weeks of the regular season.
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