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2017 Orlando Magic Free Agency Preview: The Point Guards

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Dec 6, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) dribbles as Washington Wizards guard Trey Burke (33) defends during the second quarter at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) dribbles as Washington Wizards guard Trey Burke (33) defends during the second quarter at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Shaun Livingston, Golden State Warriors, D'Angelo Russell, Los Angeles Lakers
January 14, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Shaun Livingston (34) shoots the basketball against Los Angeles Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell (1) during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Lakers 116-98. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

Shaun Livingston, Golden State Warriors

Per Game Table
Season Age Tm G MP FG% 3P% eFG% FT% TRB AST STL TOV PTS
2016-17 31 GSW 76 17.7 .547 .333 .549 .700 2.0 1.8 0.5 0.8 5.1
Career 698 21.6 .483 .197 .485 .793 2.5 3.2 0.7 1.3 6.6

Provided by Basketball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 6/26/2017.

Inevitably when there is a championship team, there are teams looking to poach its role players believing some of that championship glisten will run off. These players many believe can take on an expanded roles and be that extra piece to take the team over the top.

Shaun Livingston’s story itself is an interesting one. It is still amazing to see him playing after he blew out his knee in the 2007 season. Livingston has never regained his athleticism, but he has carved out an effective and efficient role as the backup point guard for the Golden State Warriors.

He is still the combo point guard everyone believed he could be at his peak, minus the explosive athleticism. But that also includes his struggles from beyond the arc. Livingston works best in the mid-post and inside the 3-point line. That is hardly what the Magic need.

Orlando certainly could use some outside shooting, which Livingston does not provide. But the team could also use some veteran leadership and a steady hand off the bench, which the Magic could use. Livingston is also certainly a secondary role player name that would get fans excited. Put him in the right role — i.e. the one the Warriors have — and he can certainly succeed.

Livingston is due for a bit of a raise after making a little more than $5 million per year for the last three years. the Magic could step up and afford a slight raise. But not too much of one.

And, at this point, the Warriors seem able and willing to retain everyone from their championship teams, luxury tax be damned. It seems like Livingston might be someone willing to take a little less to stay with the championship-contending Warriors.

This might be an intriguing target for the Magic, but one that would probably not fill the needs the Magic have at the position, despite Livingston’s positional versatility and defensive ability.