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Note: In this series, Orlando Pinstriped Post examines some free agents who may be options for the Orlando Magic as they continue their rebuild. This installment focuses on Charles Jenkins. - Ed.
NBA career so far:
After an illustrious career at Hofstra University -- where he was once called "college basketball's best kept secret" by DraftExpress -- the Golden State Warriors selected Charles Jenkins with 44th overall pick in the 2011 NBA Draft. He failed to play much in the first two months of the lockout-shortened 2011/12 season, but earned playing time in the latter part of the year and showed that he is a scoring point guard who possesses the ability to create for teammates.
In March of 2012, Jenkins averaged 14.4 points and 6.1 assists per 36 minutes on 50.6 percent shooting from the floor. In April of the same year. he averaged 11.8 points and 7.9 assists per 36 minutes. Over a span of one month during that time, Jenkins scored in double-figures 10 times and dished 10 or more assists four times. At that point, he looked like a player who would stick in the NBA as a full-time backup point guard.
That summer, the Warriors acquired Jarrett Jack to become the back up point guard. In the subsequent season, Jenkins' minutes were limited, as Jack ate most of his playing time. Jenkins became expandable and the Warriors traded him to the Philadelphia 76ers for a second-round draft pick. He played 29 minutes in his second game with the 76ers but failed to log over 20 minutes in a single game for the rest of the season. On July 1, 2013, Jenkins' agent confirmed that he was not extended a qualifying offer by the Sixers, thus rendering him an unrestricted free agent.
It doesn't seem that long ago that Jenkins looked like a promising back up point guard with Golden State. Now his NBA career hangs in the balance. Will he be earn another contract in the NBA? Or will he wind up playing professionally overseas only to be forgotten?
Why he might fit in with the Magic:
Jenkins' NBA track record is much more established than those of Josh Selby or Darius Morris, which bodes well for him since he's older than both of the players we've previously highlighted in this series. He has decent size at 6-foot-1 and a freakishly long wingspan at 6-foot-7.5. He's not terribly efficient but in 893 minutes in 2011-12 he had an assist rate of 29.9 percent while shooting almost 45 percent from the floor.
With the possibility of his NBA career being over, it's reasonable to expect that Jenkins would take a one-year minimum contract. That's the kind of contract that the Magic will be looking for. He could spell Jameer Nelson and shouldn't be expected to play too much with Victor Oladipo possibly taking a handful of minutes a night at point guard.
Why he might not fit in with the Magic:
His free throw rate is awful. It's just... awful. He averages 1.6 free throw attempts per 36 minutes, which seems unreal for a point guard. That probably has to do with his reluctance to work inside the paint. According to NBA.com, he shot just 26.4 percent of his shots inside eight feet. The Magic, as you all know, were awful at getting to the free throw line last year.
Verdict:
It's unknown whether Orlando has a real interest in Jenkins, but he's the type of player they will be looking for. He's young, he's unproven -- though he's had a couple good months -- and the Magic could sign him for the cheap.
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