Frye will be the first to admit he's constantly proving himself, knowing intimately the business side of the NBA where nothing is guaranteed. And now with his first season in Portland drawing to a close and the Blazers devoid of their playoff dreams, the focus becomes will Frye return for a second season?

"I hope so. I always hope," Frye told HOOPSWORLD when asked if he thinks he'll be back in Portland.

"But at the same time if something happens and they (Blazers management) feel they've got to make an opportunity better for them, I'm not going to take it personally. I want to be here. I think I'm going to be here, but you always have to have that kind of attitude.

"If I get moved and something happens, I've enjoyed my time here."

Chances are if the Blazers opt to make roster adjustments this summer, there is a possibility Frye's stay in Portland could be brief. Even Frye knows the trade rumors are inevitable. Yet speaking honestly on the matter makes Frye easily affable, a poster child for what the organization wants to build their future on.

"I want to stay here but I understand sometimes it's your time and sometimes it's not. You can't take it personally. You have to take it as a business and continue to work on your game," Frye admitted.

Ten months after arriving in Portland during the draft night trade from New York for Zach Randolph, Frye's become somewhat of a cult hero in Portland. He quickly fell in love with the area and the folks who "Keep Portland Weird". He revamped his website to include a more personal running diary blog – a Channing unplugged of sorts. He's even solidified "The Channing Frye Show" for an hour on a local sports talk radio station.

And his genuine soundbites are beloved by the Blazer faithful and teammates alike.

"There's one word that describes Channing," joked Blazers point guard Jarrett Jack. "Detail."  

But despite easing into a Rose City turned Rip City comfort zone, the Blazers are still trying to determine where exactly Frye fits into the big picture.

"We're trying to figure out what he is," said assistant coach Monty Williams.

"I think a lot of people want to make him – and I've caught myself doing this – a post up player. And he might not be that. We pushed him to get outside of himself a little bit and I don't know if he liked that, but I think he's realized what we expect. He's learned to accept us and we've learned to accept who he is."

While Williams admits the 6-11 third-year post player may be the perfect "pick-and-pop guy", head coach Nate McMillan knows next season at this time, an adjustment will have to be made regardless.

"You're talking about a situation where, you bring in Greg (Oden). You've got Joel (Przybilla). You've got LaMarcus (Aldridge). You've got Travis (Outlaw)," McMillan told HOOPSWORLD when asked where Frye fits into the plan next season.  

"Someone is going to be moved, in the sense of positions."

Moving around in the rotation is one thing. Packing bags and changing area codes is something else. And in some circles where trade speculations persist, Frye often becomes the topic of discussion knowing the options Portland has at power forward and his fair market value.  

Nevertheless, Fyre knows all he can control is what occurs on the court.

"It's out of my control regardless," said Frye. "People don't understand that basketball is a business. There are a million reasons why things happen –this guy plays or this or that - but when it comes down to it you can only control what you can control."

Early in the season, Frye's playing time was sporadic at best. Not only was he playing out of position at center, but when the Blazers needed a shot blocker in the middle, Joel Przybilla was the obvious choice. Power forward suits Frye best. But even then, Travis Outlaw was the option to back up LaMarcus Aldridge in many cases, thus leaving Frye scrapping for minutes.

But like most players, Frye needs playing time to be productive.

"People don't do things personally because they don't like you, they may do it because that fits them," Frye said of his role. "I just got tired of people asking me why I wasn't playing. It happens that way. Sometimes I'm going to play, sometimes I am not. All I can do is control what I have."

What Frye has now is three-straight games of double-doubles starting at power forward. He's averaging 17.3 points, 11.6 rebounds, 34.3 minutes per game during that stretch as the coaching staff applauds his attitude and timely shooting.

Frye may not be a shot blocking machine or a huge post up presence, but he is showing he can be a part of the Blazers puzzle with two games remaining in the regular season.

"To be honest, this is the hardest I've worked, but this is also the most fun I've had; by far. It's just become a habit.  I think I can push myself farther and I'm excited about that," Frye spoke candidly soaking with sweat and game time approaching.  

"I have to prove myself. I feel I work too hard in the gym not to go out there and leave it all on the court."