Miami Heat point guard Beno Udrih. (Photo : Getty Images)
The Miami Heat has re-signed Slovenian point guard Beno Udrih to a one-year veteran's minimum deal on Wednesday, which had swollen the team's roster to 19 players at the moment.
Udrih's contract was bought out by the Heat late last season in order for them to sign veteran wingman Joe Johnson for the team's postseason campaign. With Johnson joining the Utah Jazz this summer, Miami had re-signed the free agent European standout, who is coming from a foot surgery from an injury he sustained last February.
The Palm Beach Post noted that the contract is guaranteed, which means that he will most likely make Miami's final roster for next season.
Udrih played his first eight games last season with the Memphis Grizzlies, averaging 5.9 points, 1.1 rebounds, and 3.3 assists, prior to being traded to the Heat, together with Jarnell Stokes, in November 2015 for Mario Chalmers and James Ennis.
He went on to play 44 games for Miami and averaged 4.7 points, 1.6 boards, and 2.6 dimes in 16.1 minutes of playing time a night for coach Erik Spoelstra before he was injured and subsequently waived in February.
Miami's acquisition of the 34-year-old, 12-year pro ballooned their current roster to 19, as per the Sun-Sentinel. The NBA allows up to 20 players during training camp, but teams must cut it down to 15 once the regular season starts.
At the moment, the Heat's signed players are Udrih, Chris Bosh, Hassan Whiteside, Goran Dragic, Udonis Haslem, Tyler Johnson, Derrick Williams, Wayne Ellington, Justise Winslow, James Johnson, Josh McRoberts, Josh Richardson, Dion Waiters, Willie Reed, Okaro White, Briante Weber, Luke Babbitt, Stefan Jankovic, and Rodney McGruder.
Udrih is expected to become the main backup for his countryman and starting point guard Dragic in Spoelstra's rotation next season.
However, the report noted that while the Slovenian's arrival will provide an "experienced presence at point guard" behind Dragic, it also "creates question of whether any of the neophytes added by the team this offseason make the final roster".
At the moment, Weber, an incoming third-year undrafted player, is the only other point guard in the team's lineup. Tyler Johnson can also play at the point, but he is currently being utilized as a two-guard.
