Retrospective: Where does Elfrid Payton rank in All-time Magic point guards?

Steve Francis became the Magic’s new star after franchise talent Tracy McGrady was shipped to Houston. Francis brought along his backcourt mate Cuttino Mobley in the deal, and the tandem kept the Magic relevant after losing its superstar in T-Mac.

Francis could leap — flat out.

As a two-foot jumper, it often appeared Francis had landed on a trampoline when he took off in the paint, and he was multidimensional, a point guard who could mix it up inside and come away with boards.

He was a bit controversial behavior-wise at times, but he was far from anything near the level of a “team cancer.”

Eventually, Francis was replaced by Jameer Nelson and the Magic entered a renaissance period following his leave.

That casts aspersions on how good his leadership was during Dwight Howard’s rookie season, but his talents are not in question.

Steve was nicknamed “Steve Franchise” before ever entering the NBA. He did not quite live up to that billing, but he averaged 20 points, 6.6 assists and 5.4 rebounds in the 2005 season for the Magic. He made three All-Star appearances and was a member of the 1999-00 All Rookie first team.

Next: 3. Darrell Armstrong