Presto In The Paint 5-on-5: Offseason Review
By Zach Oliver
Mar 20, 2014; San Antonio, TX, USA; Louisiana Lafayette Ragin Cajuns guard Elfrid Payton (2) smiles during practice before the second round of the 2014 NCAA Tournament at AT&T Center. Mandatory Credit: Soobum Im-USA TODAY Sports
1. Of the Magic’s three draft picks, which one has the biggest impact this season?
Zach Oliver (@ZachOliverNBA): Elfrid Payton will, and it’s simply because he’s more NBA ready. Of course, it also helps him that the Magic’s only other “true” point guard on the roster is Luke Ridnour. If Aaron Gordon was more ready, I would say him, but Payton is going to have a much bigger role overall, and I think that’s the big thing that’s going to help him this season. Plus, that hair. No one can beat that hair, not even Robin Lopez.
Cory Hutson (@professorcory): Elfrid Payton, if only because his path to playing time is clearer. Really, the only thing standing between him and minutes is more Oladipo-as-point-guard. Aaron Gordon, meanwhile, has to compete with Tobias Harris, Maurice Harkless, Channing Frye, Kyle O’Quinn, and Andrew Nicholson in the forward spots. Besides that, though, Payton is already great at a skill the Magic could take advantage of right away, and that’s his distributing ability.
Jon Wolf (@jonbwolf): Elfrid Payton, simply because he’ll be logging the most minutes out of the rookies. Not only will he be receiving minutes, but he’ll be getting those minutes at the most important position, especially in today’s NBA. The point guard position is reserved for those who can lead a team on and off of the court. As the season progresses we’ll see Payton’s leadership improve and really shine. As he becomes a better point guard, the other four players on the court around him will also become better players.
AK Babazadeh (@AK_Babazadeh): I’m tempted to go against the grain and go with Aaron Gordon, but realistically, Elfrid Payton has the reigns in this race. He could potentially take over the starting point guard spot early in the season and is a darkhorse rookie of the year candidate. Because Payton may have the keys to the Magic offense, and because of Gordon’s lack of development on the offensive end, the Louisiana-Lafayette product will have more of an impact on the team this season.
Cody Taylor (@theeCODYTAYLOR): Like the rest of the guys said, the answer is Payton. The thing with Gordon is he is going to need some time to develop, which will assuredly take longer than this season. I talked to a scout about Gordon and he really liked him and made a great point: while Gordon isn’t a gifted shooter, he is very athletic and that’s something you can’t teach — you can work with a player to refine his shot. At this point Payton will be the Magic’s best rookie and if his Summer League is any indication, he’ll have himself a great season.