Free Agency: 5 Bargain Point Guards for Orlando Magic
Steve Blake
Steve Blake made $2.1 million last season in 81 appearances with the Portland Trail Blazers. He averaged four points and three assists per game, but Blake is a very good shooter and the Magic certainly need more of that after finishing No. 29 in the NBA in 3-point percentage last year.
In his 12-year career, Blake has knocked down 38.5 percent from 3-point range, and last season he hit 37.3 percent with the Blazers. He is hardly an exciting player, but he can shoot the rock and run a team.
In the event that Payton were to miss time with an injury, Blake is fully capable of running the show until he gets back. At age 34, he is on the final legs of his NBA career, but the Magic are primarily looking for a stop-gap point guard to further teach Payton the ropes and play reserve minutes, and Blake brings a wealth of NBA experience.
Blake’s best years may be far behind him, but he still saw 19 minutes a game last year and would see a very similar role with the Magic.
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