Devyn Marble fighting for his NBA career once again

Devyn Marble faced another Summer League where he had to prove himself. That is the norm for Marble as he has to fight to stay in the league once again.

The biggest moment in Devyn Marble’s short NBA career is not a basket scored or a shot made. It is not something that may even come up in a box score.

The Miami Heat, for better or worse, held a lot of emotional importance for the young Magic team. They had come close to toppling LeBron James and the titans of the Southeast Division a few times, but could not get over the hump. In the four years since Dwight Howard left, the Magic have defeated the Heat just twice.

In April of last year, Devyn Marble had his moment. The Magic were facing another one of their famous late-game collapses as they tried desperately to hold the Heat off. They clung to a three-point lead in the final moments.

Devyn Marble cut into the passing lane on the inbounds pass and stole the ball. This after not playing for virtually the entire game. It sealed the game and ensured that critical victory. Marble was the hero. This was his moment.

The hard work to scratch and claw on to the roster and stay there for two years paid off in one moment.

But like it is every summer, none of that matters. For the third straight year, there is a new coach to impress and an unguaranteed contract to earn. Marble is starting from scratch once again. And he had a lot to prove as he played in Summer League last week in Orlando.

“We do this every year,” Devyn Marble said after the first game last Saturday. “I’m just going to go out there, compete, do what I can do and help the team win.

“I’m always out there to compete and defend at a high level. Right now, I’m trying to put everything together defensively and offensively. Just trying to show the whole package.”

The work was beginning all over again.

Marble averaged 10.6 points per game last week at Summer League. He shot 39.6 percent from the floor and shot 11 of 15 from the foul line. He was made by default the primary player on the team and struggled some to create his own shot. He sometimes struggled to drive into traffic and often dribbled himself into traps.

None of that is important though. Marble is not going to be that player in the NBA. For his two-year career, Marble has played in only 44 games. He has scored a total of 97 points. In two seasons, Marble has not even scored 100 points. He is not a scorer and not a high-usage player (14.5 percent usage rate).

What Marble did show throughout the week was a commitment to defense and an ability to move some without the ball. The Magic ran a bit of a motion offense, and he did well to cut off the ball and work off screens. Just not for jumpers.

Marble had made his NBA skill as a defender. He just needed to add the offense to boot. Marble’s career defensive box plus-minus is -0.2. He is doing this in such a small sample size, it is hard to tell what is real.

And that is why Marble is back at Summer League year after year trying to prove himself. His contract — all $980,431 — is fully guaranteed July 15. That is Friday. The Magic have a decision to make to bring their roster to 13 this week.

“It’s not going to change my mentality, no matter what my contract situation is, I’m going to play hard,” Marble said. “Whatever happens happens.”

He is not too worried. Nor maybe should he be.

Watching him play, it seems like he fits exactly what Frank Vogel wants in a player. A player committed to defense and the nitty gritty work. Marble has as much of a shot as anyone to make the roster.

There does not seem to be any reason not to keep him. If the Magic need to cut him, they can cut him. It seems like he is a more certain risk to keep around as an end-of-the-bench player. The Magic’s roster is pretty much set except for some players to fill out around the edges.

Nothing is ever certain until it is certain though.

UPDATE: And it appears that decision has come in as the Magic will reportedly cut Marble before Friday’s guarantee date.

Marble was about what he was in the regular season during Summer League. It was hard to say he was much better at Summer League than he was last year. Without making a ton of progress, can he stay on a roster?

Marble has always had to fight. His fate was not likely decided at Summer League. He was not so bad that the team should cut him immediately. The Magic have to take action to make his contract non-guaranteed. More likely they let the Friday deadline pass and Marble remains on the roster.

Marble’s fight will continue on to October. Even with a guaranteed contract, his future likely will not be guaranteed. There will be another group of prospects hoping to stay on the roster. And Marble will have to fight once again for his NBA life.