Peace Out Channing Frye!

Blazer GM Kevin Pritchard announced today that they will not be making a qualifying offer to now free agent, power forward, Channing Frye. As said in this article from Blazers Behind the Beat:

Channing Frye's two-year stint with the Trail Blazers officially ended Monday when general manager Kevin Pritchard said the team has decided not to make a qualifying offer to the 26-year-old free agent power forward.

The move allows Frye to become an unrestricted free agent, and prevents the Blazers from having the right to match an offer from another team. The Blazers had until midnight on Tuesday to make a $4.6 million qualifying offer to Frye, who made $3.1 million last season.

"We are going to open up some cap space,'' Pritchard said. "But we are very thankful for what Channing did and has done. He has been terrific for us.''

It was an expected move as the Blazers prepare to become a major player in the summer's free agent market. Without Frye on the roster, the Blazers salary is around $50.5 million, which figures to be around $7 million under the projected salary cap, which will be announced on July 7.

"I've had a great time in Portland and I appreciate the fans for their support,'' Frye wrote in an email. "It's a business and it's time for me to be somewhere where I can contribute. I wish the team the best of luck.''

After being acquired from New York in a draft-day trade for Zach Randolph in 2007, Frye became a popular player, albeit mostly in part-time roles. He averaged 6.8 points and 4.5 rebounds in his first season, hitting 48.8 percent of his shots. His greatest impact that season was filling in for an injured LaMarcus Aldridge for five games in December, which helped ignite the team's memorable 13-game winning streak. Included in that stretch was a crucial 20-point, 9-rebound performance at Denver when he hit 10-of-13 shots.

Last season Frye was slowed by a September surgery to remove bone spurs from his ankle. He rushed back in time to play on opening night, but later lamented that he should have taken more time to heal. He finished the season averaging 4.2 points and 2.2 rebounds.

It's all too bad, Channing Frye was an amazing guy and super nice, one of the few Blazer players I've ever met and he genuinely loved Portland not just the team but the city as well. If you haven't already be sure to check out his official website he gives reviews and talks about some amazing spots in Portland that he has been able to visit and restaurants, including Buffalo Gap which even has an entree named after him "Channing's Fries" (they're DELICIOUS). It's sad to see him go but we here at BNB wish him luck to whichever team he will play for next and hope he comes back to visit, I'm always up for some Por Que No Channing! Always!!