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Orlando Magic Free Agency Preview: The Point Guards

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Jan 25, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Indiana Pacers guard C.J. Watson (32) drives to the basket against the Orlando Magic during the second half at Amway Center. Indiana Pacers defeated the Orlando Magic 106-99. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 25, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Indiana Pacers guard C.J. Watson (32) drives to the basket against the Orlando Magic during the second half at Amway Center. Indiana Pacers defeated the Orlando Magic 106-99. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Beno Udrih, Steve Blake, Portland Trail Blazers, Memphis Grizzlies
Apr 29, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Beno Udrih (19) drives during the first quarter defended by Portland Trailblazers guard Steve Blake (5) in game five of the first round of the NBA Playoffs. at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /

Beno Udrih, Memphis Grizzlies
2015 Salary: $2,077,000 (team option)

Season Tm G MP FG% 3P% eFG% FT% TRB AST STL TOV PF PTS
2014-15 MEM 79 18.9 .487 .268 .513 .853 1.8 2.8 0.6 1.1 1.1 7.7
Career 748 22.6 .464 .349 .503 .829 2.1 3.5 0.7 1.5 1.6 8.7

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 5/6/2015.

The Magic had Beno Udrih a few years ago as a remnant of the Tobias Harris trade. Since then, he has made a name for himself as Memphis’ backup point guard. And they will have their option to keep him. After the way he has played this postseason — 9.7 points per game and 2.5 assists per game with solid play in Mike Conley‘s stead through Game Two of the Grizzlies’ series with the Warriors — Udrih should be seen as a solid part of Memphis’ rotation.

He is nothing more than a backup point guard at this point and he still is not a particularly good shooter either — Udrih shot 39.6 percent from beyond the arc and 40.8 percent total in his half season in Orlando.

At the time, the Magic did not have much need for a veteran point guard. They had Jameer Nelson and drafted Victor Oladipo with the crazy idea of playing him at the point. Another veteran point guard would all but keep that experiment from going forward.

But now, it seems like a veteran backup point guard behind Elfrid Payton is exactly what the Magic would want.

Udrih is good for a big game every once in a while, but he is largely just there to be consistent and provide veteran poise. That is what he has done for the Grizzlies these past few years.

Next: Jameer Nelson