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Beno Udrih

Stein’s Latest: Clippers, Josh Smith, Randolph

February 8th, 2013 at 11:42pm CST by Chuck Myron

Marc Stein's Weekend Dime at ESPN.com is usually full of juicy rumors year-round, and with the trade deadline less than two weeks away, this week's edition is especially jam-packed. Let's dig in:

  • The Clippers went fishing for Kevin Garnett, and while the Celtics seem uninterested in such a swap, Stein expects Clippers to keep looking for deals as the trade deadline draws near. L.A. might like to send out DeAndre Jordan, who's eager for more playing time and whose lack of production has frustrated coach Vinny Del Negro, but the more likely trade chip is third-year point guard Eric Bledsoe. Stein hears there's a 99.5% chance Chris Paul re-signs this summer, but if the Clippers endure an early playoff exit, Paul's future, as well as Del Negro's job, could hang in the balance.
  • If the Hawks trade Josh Smith, they'll be looking for "a quality young center" in return.
  • The Grizzlies have told Zach Randolph they won't trade him, and Memphis is unlikely to make another move involving Randolph or anyone else. Still, despite coach Lionel Hollins' insistence that he and management are on the same page, the coach's dim view of the Rudy Gay trade has cast a pall on the locker room, as Stein writes.
  • Reports that the Rockets have interest in Danny Granger are inaccurate, according to Stein.
  • Denver isn't biting on an offer for Timofey Mozgov unless the Nuggets get one that's "crazy good."
  • The Sixers, open to a shakeup as they wait for Andrew Bynum to make his Philadelphia debut, are shopping Evan Turner.
  • Samuel Dalembert was on the market even before he did his best to showcase his value with a career-best 35-point game against the Nuggets this week, and he's not the only player Milwaukee might trade. Monta Ellis and Beno Udrih are among the Bucks who could be on the move.
  • Boston isn't better with Rajon Rondo out for the season, but Stein believes the Celtics' six-game winning streak can be at least partially explained by the team's improved attitude without the moody Rondo around.
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Ford’s Latest: Bucks, Smith, Randolph, Nuggets

February 6th, 2013 at 2:15pm CST by Luke Adams

Although Chad Ford's weekly chat at ESPN.com featured plenty of draft questions once again this week, Ford also addressed a number of trade questions and rumors. Many of Ford's answers focused more on his own opinions or speculation, but here are a few of the highlights from ESPN's NBA draft guru:

  • Ford is hearing that the Bucks are "very active" and that Samuel Dalembert isn't the only player they're actively discussing. Monta Ellis, Beno Udrih, and Ersan Ilyasova could all be had as well, according to Ford.
  • The Hawks would like to move Josh Smith, but the market for him isn't currently very strong and the team is still holding on to hope that Smith could help lure Dwight Howard to Atlanta this summer, says Ford.
  • Zach Randolph "looks like a marked man," according to Ford, though it's not clear whether he thinks the Grizzlies will trade Randolph in the next two weeks or further down the road.
  • Ford keeps hearing the Nuggets mentioned in trade scenarios, with Danilo Gallinari's and Wilson Chandler's names coming up most frequently.
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Kyler’s Latest: Kings, Gasol, Magic, Bucks, Jazz

January 15th, 2013 at 10:19am CST by Luke Adams

Steve Kyler's latest piece for HoopsWorld is packed full of updates on players who could be on the move before this season's trade deadline. Kyler covers plenty of ground in his column, so let's dive right in and round up the highlights….

  • The Kings' uncertain ownership situation may result in a quiet trade deadline in Sacramento. While the situation could change between now and February 21st, Kyler says that for now the team appears "frozen in terms of making deals."
  • Kyler suggests it's possible the Grizzlies will explore ways of getting below the luxury tax line that don't involve trading a big contract like Rudy Gay's.
  • The Lakers aren't engaged in any trade talks involving Pau Gasol, and may not seriously explore a Gasol deal unless they fall out of the playoff hunt by the deadline.
  • While J.J. Redick is drawing plenty of interest, rival teams have also called the Magic about Arron Afflalo and Jameer Nelson. If Orlando makes a move, the club would like to include Glen Davis or Hedo Turkoglu to shed some long-term salary.
  • Pointing to Andrew Bogut as an example of an injured player who was dealt last season, Kyler warns not to rule out Anderson Varejao as a trade candidate.
  • The Bucks are much more inclined to move players like Beno Udrih, Drew Gooden, and Samuel Dalembert than Monta Ellis or Brandon Jennings, but those secondary pieces aren't drawing much interest.
  • Al Jefferson seems more likely than Paul Millsap to re-sign with the Jazz this summer, though clubs have been in touch with the Jazz about both players.
  • The Spurs "will be dealing" DeJuan Blair before the deadline, according to Kyler.
  • Derrick Williams appears unlikely to be moved by the Timberwolves while Kevin Love remains sidelined with his broken hand.
  • Several teams have been calling the Suns to inquire on Marcin Gortat. The Rockets are one team believed to have interest.
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Latest On Trade Candidates From Reno

January 11th, 2013 at 7:40pm CST by Sean Highkin

Marc Stein of ESPN.com attended the NBA D-League Showcase in Reno, Nevada this week, where many NBA GMs and executives were present. He posted a roundup of trade-related chatter he heard during the event:

  • The Raptors are making the hardest push for Rudy Gay, offering the Grizzlies a package that includes Jose Calderon and Ed Davis. Memphis is still undecided as to whether they will move Gay.
  • There is a growing sense from front offices around the league that the Lakers will not ultimately trade Pau Gasol this season.
  • Teams have continued to ask the Kings about DeMarcus Cousins, and were told that he is not available.
  • A source told Stein that it is highly unlikely the Bucks will move Brandon Jennings before the end of the season.
  • The Jazz are more likely to trade Al Jefferson than Paul Millsap, even though both are free agents this summer.
  • The Hornets are not expected to trade Eric Gordon, despite previous rumors that he may be available.
  • Despite his recent statement that he intends on staying retired, the Nets are still making a hard push to convince Phil Jackson to be their next head coach.
  • Stein lists several players as having been made known to be available by their teams, including the Raptors' Andrea Bargnani, the Spurs' DeJuan Blair, the Cavs' Omri Casspi, the Rockets' Cole Aldrich, and the Bucks' Drew Gooden, Samuel Dalembert, and Beno Udrih.
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Beno Udrih Exercises 2012/13 Player Option

May 23rd, 2012 at 2:09pm CST by Luke Adams

Beno Udrih has picked up his player option for the 2012/13 season and will return to the Bucks, reports Charles F. Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Milwaukee GM John Hammond confirmed the decision.

The Bucks acquired Udrih from Sacramento prior to the lockout last year, but his first season with the Bucks wasn't a strong one. The point guard's scoring rate (11.6 points per 36 minutes) and shooting percentages (.440/.288/.709) were among the worst of his career, making it a lock that he'd pick up his option rather than hit the open market.

Garder suggests the option is worth $7.8MM, while other contract databases have it in the neighborhood of $7.37MM. Either way, it's a significant amount to have to commit to a backup point guard. Still, as I noted when I previewed the Bucks' offseason last week, the team could have a moderate amount of cap space to sign a free agent or two even with Udrih on the books.

Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times first reported that Udrih would exercise his option.

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Beno Udrih To Exercise Player Option

April 25th, 2012 at 8:03am CST by Luke Adams

Beno Udrih will exercise his player option for next season and remain with the Bucks for at least one more year, he tells Gery Woelfel of the Racine Journal Times. The option will pay Udrih about $7.37MM in 2012/13.

Earlier this season, Udrih, frustrated by his reduced role this season in Milwaukee, told Woelfel he wasn't sure whether or not he'd pick up the option. At the time, I noted that a $7MM+ guarantee would be hard to pass up, and Woelfel suggests the same thing in his newest piece, writing that Udrih "fully realizes" his market value has taken a big hit this year.

After averaging double-digit points and 30+ minutes in each of the previous four seasons, Udrih is scoring just 5.8 points in 18.0 minutes per game in 2011/12. His shooting percentages are also below his career averages, at .443/.273/.726.

Even with Udrih's player option on their books for next season, the Bucks have a little under $46MM in guaranteed money committed for 2012/13, so they should still have some cap flexibility.

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Odds & Ends: Cavs, Udrih, Kings

March 3rd, 2012 at 12:00am CST by Chuck Myron

Leave it to LeBron James to wind up in the spotlight again amidst Linsanity and the impending trade deadline. He passed up a potential game-winning shot against Utah to give the ball to Udonis Haslem instead, and Haslem missed to give the Jazz a 99-98 win. Still, as Chris Tomasson of Fox Sports Florida points out, it was the first time James has ever gone back-to-back games without committing a turnover. James will surely be with the Heat for a while, but here are a few notes on more fluid situations:

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Kyler’s Latest: Gasol, Mayo, Delfino, Williams

March 2nd, 2012 at 10:15am CST by Luke Adams

Earlier this week, Steve Kyler of HoopsWorld began exploring trade options for all 30 NBA teams, sharing the latest rumors and rumblings along the way. Kyler discussed ten teams on Tuesday, and looks at ten more today. Here are some highlights from the piece:

  • The Pacers aren't looking to trade anyone, but would take advantage of their cap space to absorb salary if it meant acquiring a draft pick as well.
  • Lakers sources insist the team still views Pau Gasol as an All-Star and would only trade him if it meant getting another All-Star back. L.A. isn't currently pursuing Dwight Howard, and any move the team makes will probably involve its $8.9MM trade exception.
  • If the Grizzlies do anything before the trade deadline, it will likely involve O.J. Mayo, who has drawn interest.
  • Carlos Delfino is an attractive target for a few teams, but Beno Udrih is the more likely trade candidate to be dealt by the Bucks.
  • Trade talk surrounding Deron Williams could pick up before March 15th, if the Nets become concerned about their chances of acquiring Dwight Howard and signing Williams long-term.
  • Trevor Ariza and Jarrett Jack could be had, but the price for most Hornets is an unprotected first-round pick, which seems like a long shot.
  • The Knicks may consider moving Toney Douglas for a draft pick, in part to clear a roster spot for a player waived after the trade deadline.
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Trade Candidate: Beno Udrih

February 11th, 2012 at 10:56pm CST by Ryan Raroque

On a March evening at the Staples Center in 2008, the Sacramento Kings could breathe easy knowing that they had just survived a last-second game winning attempt by Kobe Bryant and the powerhouse Los Angeles Lakers. The struggling Kings escaped with a 114-113 win after two game winning free throws by Beno Udrih, the game's unsung hero who capped off his 44 minute night with 25 points, 10 assists, and a solid 6-for-6 performance from the free throw line. That win would be one of Sacramento's best of the season, and one of many excellent performances that would convince the Kings to give the Yugoslavian point guard a five-year, $32.3MM extension during that upcoming summer. 

Today, Udrih finds himself as a backup in Milwaukee behind Brandon Jennings following a trade on draft night last year. After four consecutive seasons of averaging above 30 minutes per game (including a career high 34.1 minutes per game with the Kings last year), Beno has been relegated to Scott Skiles' bench and has averaged only 16.6 minutes per game this season.  In his latest appearance, he tallied five points and three assists in only nine minutes.

It is no secret that his unhappiness is brewing, and Udrih recently vented his concerns a few days ago to Gery Woelfel of the Journal Times: "It's been frustrating; I'm not going to lie. Everybody that knows basketball a little bit knows it's tough coming from 34 minutes to 15 minutes."

The 6'3" guard makes $7.2MM this year and will be able to opt out of his contract this summer to enter free agency, but would be walking away from a guaranteed $7.8MM next year to do so. With very little playing time and sparse opportunities to prove his worth right now, it is not likely that other teams will offer a better annual salary next year. 

In years past, Beno has shown that he can be productive with significant minutes. Just one season ago, he averaged nearly 14 PPG, 5 APG, and shot an excellent 50% from the field with 10 attempts per game. In the penultimate game of last season against the Thunder, the former Sacramento King delivered 21 points, 7 rebounds, 7 assists, and 4 steals in his matchup with Russell Westbrook. With a few solid performances this season in limited action (6 points and 7 assists in 15 minutes against the Rockets, 4 points and 7 assists in 16 minutes against the Lakers), there is reason to believe that he can return to old form on a team willing to give him consistent and significant playing time. 

Should the Lakers fail in their apparent pursuit of Cavaliers point guard Ramon Sessions and/or unsuccesfully attempt to use their $8.9MM trade exception in another deal, focusing their attention toward acquiring Beno Udrih might certainly be a chance worth taking.  Nearly four years after one of his best performances as an NBA player, the 29-year-old point guard may find a home with the team that he earned his stripes against that night. On the same token, with an aging Derek Fisher and Steve Blake struggling to find his shot, the Lakers could welcome a change at point guard with open arms. 

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Central Notes: Boykins, Udrih, Bulls, Cavs

February 10th, 2012 at 11:22am CST by Luke Adams

Earl Boykins has made stops in plenty of NBA cities over his career, logging minutes with nine different teams since making his debut in 1998. His most recent NBA stint came in Milwaukee, where he played in 57 games with the Bucks last season. Boykins is currently a free agent, but may find an NBA home soon. He told Jorge Sierra of HoopsHype he's in discussions with a couple teams and "hopefully something gets done." Here are a few more items out of the Central Division:

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