Beno Udrih

Udrih is entering his 11th season in the NBA. Last season, he started out with the Knicks before being bought out and joining the Grizzlies to be the team's third point guard behind Mike Conley and Nick Calathes. In 31 games with the Knicks, he averaged 5.6 points, 3.5 assists, 1.8 rebounds, 0.7 steals, and 0.1 blocks in 19 minutes per game, and in 10 games with the Grizzlies he averaged 2.7 points, 0.6 assists, 0.2 rebounds, 0.1 steals, and 0.1 blocks in less than six minutes per game. However, once it was announced that Calathes would be forced to serve a 20-game suspension for violating the league's anti-drug policy, Udrih was called upon to take on a more demanding role. In seven playoff games as the Grizzlies' primary backup point guard, he averaged 7.9 points (47 percent shooting), 1.7 assists, 1.7 rebounds, and 0.4 steals in 16 minutes per game versus the Thunder. He stands to begin 2014-15 as the Grizzlies' backup while Calathes completes the remaining 13 games of his 20-game suspension. Once Calathes makes his return it's unclear exactly how considerable of a role Udrih will be able to keep, but he'll likely see at least some time. Regardless, he's not a player that should be targeted outside of the deepest leagues.

Udrih was brought in after the Knicks lost Jason Kidd to retirement to help backup the point with Prigioni. While he provides the Knicks with a solid veteran presence off the bench, he's not likely to see enough playing time to be a major fantasy contributor in most leagues.

Udrih played over 30 minutes per game and averaged double figures in scoring each of his four seasons in Sacramento, but his numbers took a big dive last season, his first in Milwaukee. Udrih suffered a shoulder injury near the beginning of the season and never found his niche, averaging just 5.9 points in just over 18 minutes per contest. Udrih will be the Bucks’ backup point guard, but it’s likely that his role will remain minimal with Monta Ellis able to handle the point guard duties when Brandon Jennings needs a rest.

Despite Udrih putting up the best numbers of his career a season ago, the Kings decided to send him to the Bucks in a draft-day deal. Udrih started 64 games for Sacramento last season, but he’ll come off the bench in Milwaukee behind Brandon Jennings. The Bucks had a lot of success two seasons ago splitting the point guard duties between Jennings and Luke Ridnour, so they could opt for a similar situation this season if Jennings struggles. However, they'll likely give Jennings a chance to assert himself in his third season and play consistent minutes. At the same time, Udrih and Jennings should be able to play together, so Udrih will likely see some minutes at shooting guard as well. He'll play about 25 minutes per night and provide efficient production off the bench, but don’t expect him to approach last year’s numbers in a backup role.

The Kings spent much of last summer trying to convince the world that Tyreke Evans is a point guard and that he'd be able to play alongside Kevin Martin. It only took a few games of watching that pairing to convince them otherwise, which is one reason Martin is now a member of the Houston Rockets. With Evans playing more of a hybrid/lead guard role, Udrih moved back into the starting lineup, giving the Kings a much more traditional look. He won't put up huge numbers, but he's a good perimeter shooter (.377 from three) who can hit open looks when defenses key on Evans or Carl Landry, and more than capable of occasionally posting a 20-25 point box score.

Udrih isn't a bad player, but he makes for a better backup point guard than starter, especially one getting paid $32.3 million over a five-year deal. The team drafted Tyreke Evans to act as the future point guard, but he's extremely raw at the position, so Udrih will start out the season getting the majority of the minutes there. Still, he's going to lose playing time as soon as Evans is ready to take over.

Udrih found himself a home in Sacramento after his years as a backup in San Antonio. He was part of a rotation of guards coach Reggie Theus used after the injury, then departure, of Mike Bibby. In 51 games as a starter, Udrih averaged 14.4 points and 5.0 assists in 35.2 minutes per game – by far the most he’s played in his four NBA seasons. Those numbers were good enough to land him a five-year contract, and Udrih should improve on them as the full-time starter. He’s a sound ball handler who plays under control, but is still relatively inexperienced. Sacramento acquired former King Bobby Jackson to help Udrih’s development. Like last year, the 2008-09 season appears to be one of change and new faces in the rotation for Sacramento. Kevin Martin is the constant, while we can expect changes in the front court with first-round pick Jason Thompson and Spencer Hawes likely to have significant roles. Udrih’s production could improve after the team develops some cohesion in the first few months of the season.

Udrih took another step back last season. He continues to be plagued by costly turnovers and poor shot selection. Udrih shot just 36.9 percent from the floor and 28.7 percent from the 3-point line. Udrih is not expected to get a great deal of playing time unless Tony Parker or Jacque Vaughn get hurt.

Udrih took a step back in his second season with the Spurs primarily because of ill-advised shots and costly turnovers. Udrih is an interesting prospect as he shoots a decent percentage (45.5% last season) and is very aggressive offensively (5.1 ppg in 10.9 mpg). If he wins the backup point guard job, and Tony Parker is not fully recovered, Udrih could be a contributor for the Spurs.

Udrih is a sound player – by definition, all Spurs players are – that knows what to do on the court, but is better in a less physical game. He averaged just 14.4 minutes per game in his rookie season, and will see his playing time at point guard squeezed with the addition of Nick Van Exel.

Udrih has good point guard skills, is quick, and has a nice mid range jumper. He has a knack to score and plenty of experience at the point guard spot. The range on his jumpshot is in question, as his three point shot isn't at the NBA level. Most likely Udrih will be a second rounder.