Magic add shooter in veteran Frye
ORLANDO, Fla. — The Orlando Magic have completed their biggest free agency acquisition this summer with the signing of veteran Channing Frye.
Frye agreed to a four-year, $32 million deal last week, but officially signed with the Magic on Monday. Along with the signing of veteran Ben Gordon last week, the addition injects a veteran presence back into a locker room that lost Jameer Nelson and Arron Afflalo.
In Frye that means a coveted 6-foot-11 forward that general manager Rob Hennigan says he hopes will give the Magic offense the ability to stretch the floor.
The Magic also announced a minor deal with Chicago in which they acquired the contract of forward Anthony Randolph, two future second-round draft picks and cash in exchange for the draft rights to Milovan Rakovic.
Heat close deals with McRoberts, Chalmers, Granger
MIAMI — The Miami Heat signed free-agent forwards Josh McRoberts and Danny Granger on Monday, and brought back incumbent point guard Mario Chalmers.
All three deals were agreed to previously, but not signed until the Heat had more pieces of their salary-cap puzzle put into place. McRoberts signed a four-year deal that will pay him $5.3 million next season. Chalmers got a two-year deal that will have him earning about $4 million next season. Granger also has a two-year deal and will make just over $1 million next season.
McRoberts averaged 8.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists for Charlotte last season. Heat President Pat Riley said McRoberts was one of Miami’s “main targets” in free agency.
“We are delighted that this multifaceted player will help us immensely,” Riley said.
Chalmers has been with Miami for all six of his pro seasons, helping win two championships. He averaged 9.8 points and 4.9 assists last season and shot 38 percent from 3-point range.
“It’s great to have Mario back,” Riley said. “We’re happy that he wants to continue his career in Miami, he’s one of our core players, and I believe he will have a great season.”
Granger has appeared in 556 career NBA regular-season games and averaged 17.4 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists. He’s been bothered by injuries for most of the past two seasons.
“One of our main priorities this offseason was obtaining a proven veteran like Danny with All-Star experience,” Riley said. “We expect him to be a multi-position player and have a very successful season in our system.”
Bulls make trades to clear salary-cap space
CHICAGO — The Chicago Bulls have made two trades to clear salary-cap space, setting the stage for the addition of free-agent center Pau Gasol.
The Bulls sent forward Anthony Randolph, two second-round draft picks and cash considerations to Orlando for the rights to Milovan Rakovic. Randolph was acquired in a draft-night trade with Denver that gave the Bulls the rights to high-scoring Creighton forward Doug McDermott.
Chicago also traded forward Greg Smith to Dallas on Monday for the rights to Tadija Dragicevic. The Bulls signed Smith in April after he was waived by Houston, but he never appeared in a game with Chicago.
The pair of moves helps make room for Gasol, who announced over the weekend that he planned to join the Bulls.
By The Associated Press
