Elfrid Payton still working in progress

Elfrid Payton has shown improvement with his jumper and has proven critical to the team’s success. The Magic point guard remains a work in progress.

Elfrid Payton rounded the corner in transition and started making his move to the basket. The options were pretty clear for Payton.

When it comes to Payton, driving to the basket it is usually all the way to the basket — and he can finish through traffic as well as anyone — or it is to draw the defense in to dish out. Anything else, even that sometimes trusty floater, feels like a major risk. Payton, after all, is still sub-30 percent shooter from beyond the arc. No one is fearing his jumper.

Against the New York Knicks, as he came to the paint, he pulled up at the free-throw line. A bold decision for Payton. But one that he is doing more confidently more and more.

Payton drained the jumper. Just as he drained a 3-pointer earlier in the game, it was a sure sign of Payton having a good game. He had rhythm and confidence and was tearing up an unsuspecting defense. Payton finished with 13 points and 14 assists.

Payton had things rolling and so did the Orlando Magic. With Payton playing well it was no surprise the Magic played well too.

“I just continue to be a leader as much as I can by example,” Payton said. “On the defensive end, knock down open shots. I think my shot is continuing to improve. There are going to be tough nights. I just need to stay confident and trust in my work.”

Every game has not been like Monday’s playmaking precision. Those games have popped up more and more for Payton as the Magic’s offense has come alive the last month or so. Those performances give further thought to Payton rejoining the Magic’s starting lineup.

But Payton still has his poor games where he gets caught dribbling aimlessly and not doing what he does best — moving the ball.

That is what happened in his 28 minutes against the Indiana Pacers when Payton scored just two points on one-for-eight shooting. Payton cannot escape his jumper it seems. That is the key element to unlocking everything else in his game.

In wins this year, Payton averages 13.7 points and 7.1 assists per game. He shoots 51.4 percent from the floor and 39.0 percent from beyond the arc in wins. In losses, Payton averages 9.6 points and 5.0 assists per game, shooting 40.0 percent and 12.5 percent from beyond the arc. Those differences are pretty stark.

That inconsistency and his importance to the team’s overall performance is why Payton is both a source of fascination and constant frustration. His shooting has gotten significantly better, but overall Payton remains a major work in progress.

“I think he is doing really well,” coach Frank Vogel said last week. “The kid has a great attitude. And he’s got a great work ethic. He does try to do whatever you try to ask him to do We try to ask him to push the basketball, play with consistent defensive energy, knock down weakside 3s, not force 3s, be consistent with his mid-range pull-up game. The kid has a legitimate at-the-rim game for a guard. He can get into the paint, he’s got a variety of moves to try to finish. He’s doing a great job with it.”

Payton’s shot splits certainly look much improved overall. That supposed big weakness in his game is slowly becoming at least passable.

Payton is shooting a career-best 43.5 percent from the floor. He is shooting 50.7 percent on 2-point field goals. And he is shooting more 3-pointers than ever before, given a bit more of a green light to shoot from beyond the arc when open.

According to Basketball-Reference, Payton is making 35.5 percent of his jump shots. Last year, Payton made 32.9 percent of his jump shots, and in his rookie year, he shot 35.3 percent on jumpers.

All this leads to one conclusion — Payton is taking more jumpers, perhaps settling some more, but he is making them at a better rate. There is obviously room for improvement, and consistency remains an issue.

But Payton has growing confidence in his shot. Payton said he has confidence in his shot, but knows he still has a lot of work to do to improve there.

And when it goes in, it clears how much his confidence and aggression grows.

“He is shooting the ball with confidence,” Vogel said. “He is recognizing the right shots to take. Shot selection is so much a part of percentage. It’s not just about whether or not you can shoot, it’s about recognizing what shots you can make. I think he is doing a good job of that.”

Once he adds that element, it should only open up more of his deadly passing game.

Yes, his raw assist numbers are down. But he is also averaging a career low in minutes per game, especially since he is now coming off the bench. Payton’s assist rate is a career-high 33.2 percent.

Payton’s playmaking is still as good as ever. And he has turned in some of his finest overall performances of his short career thanks to that added offense.

It is all more proof the Magic are better when Payton is on the floor. Orlando has a 103.4/104.8 offensive/defensive rating split with Payton on the floor, both better than the team’s overall averages and the second-best net rating on the team.

“If you are open, EP is going to find you,” Aaron Gordon said. “That’s one of the things I’ve always known about him. He’s a very unselfish player. He’s strong. He’s a very big, physical guard. and he’s a tenacious defender. EP is putting it together and looking good.”

There were and are still hiccups in the process, of course. The Magic have slowly learned each other better and better and the results are showing. Payton has had to learn how to grasp a new offense — his third in three seasons — and learn new teammates.

Payton is still the driver for much of the Magic’s success. And that makes him the focus of a lot of what the Magic want to do. Perhaps it also makes him the engine for the Magic’s Playoff dreams.

The trade deadline is coming up, and Payton certainly will not be spared. There is a reason Vogel relegated the the supposed franchise point guard to the bench. Payton’s inconsistency has been as obvious as the entire team’s. It is no surprise there are some rumors of the Magic at least exploring ways to improve the point guard position or even to move on from Payton.

Payton’s play for much of December may give the team some pause. There have been plenty of moments that inspire confidence in Payton yet again.

Next: Orlando Magic respond with effort, now for consistency

Like so much with the Magic, it is a game-to-game situation with Payton. He remains a work in progress but an important one for an Orlando team trying to make the Playoffs this year and find its overall consistency.