Cavaliers seek a shooting forward

By BRIAN WINDHORST

They’ve talked with Channing Frye, an unrestricted free agent.

CLEVELAND — Today is the first day free agents can sign with NBA teams. The Cavaliers may not have any deals, but they are getting closer as they continue to narrow their focus.

After making a free-agent scouting trip to Los Angeles on Sunday, Cavs GM Danny Ferry came home and hosted free-agent power forward Channing Frye on Monday at the team’s practice facility in Independence. Frye is the type of “stretch” forward the Cavs are interested in as they look to find big men who can hit jumpers when teams collapse on LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal.

The Cavs are looking at several power forwards. One, of course, is Anderson Varejao, whom a league source said is truly the Cavs’ primary target in free agency as they attempt to re-sign him. The Cavs and Varejao have had some constructive talks.

Another, Shawn Marion, likely is headed elsewhere. A league source said Marion may be closing in on a deal with a team, but it isn’t the Cavs. Several outlets reported Monday he was nearing a deal with the Mavericks.

The Cavaliers also have been in discussions with Pistons free agent Antonio McDyess, who is being courted by numerous teams.

Also still on the list and very much in contention is Nuggets restricted free agent Linas Kleiza. His agent, Bill Duffy, said Monday the interest is mutual. The sides are expected to continue to have dialogue.

Frye said he enjoyed his visit to Cleveland and it is one of the handful of teams he’s considering. Frye also has been in talks with the Suns, Nuggets, Spurs, Magic and Wizards. Yahoo Sports reported Monday the Suns are the leader.

“I do think I’m a good fit. I think having a big that can create space for LeBron, Shaq and Mo [Williams] can’t hurt,” Frye said. “I feel like all the teams have a great opportunity for me to play and for me to contribute, especially [in Cleveland].”

Playing time is of special importance to Frye, who is 6-foot-11 and just finished his fourth year in the league. He was on the All-Rookie Team with the Knicks in 2005-06 when he averaged 12.3 points and 5.8 rebounds. But when he was traded to the Trail Blazers after his second season, he fell down the depth chart as Portland’s roster was stuffed with young players.

Last season, he was slowed after needing surgery to remove bone spurs from his ankle, and he had his lowest-output season, averaging 4.2 points and 2.2 rebounds in 63 games. Last week, the Blazers decided not to issue him a qualifying offer, making him an unrestricted free agent.

He is known as a finesse player, who is especially effective in pick-and-pop situations on offense, which would be helpful because the Cavs run a lot of free-lance pick-and-roll plays with James and Williams.

The Cavs, according to a source, also have been in touch with another of their own free agents, Wally Szczerbiak. The Cavs have Szczerbiak’s “Bird rights,” so, as with Varejao, they would not have to use either the $5.6 million mid-level exception or the $2 million bi-annual exception on either player.

Szczerbiak, who is coming off a solid season with the team, is an option to be re-signed or could be used in a sign-and-trade deal at some point.