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Orlando Magic Daily Mailbag Volume 10: Young, exciting . . . more questions

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Mar 18, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo (5) dunks in the third quarter shoots against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. The Mavs beat the Magic 107-102. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2015; Dallas, TX, USA; Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo (5) dunks in the third quarter shoots against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. The Mavs beat the Magic 107-102. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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All the point guards the Magic have acquired this offseason have a few things in common.

First, they all have positional versatility. Keith Appling can be a scorer and so he can play shooting guard, leaving someone else to run the offense (such as Evan Fournier). C.J. Watson can shoot and work without the ball, again allowing someone else to ostensibly run the point. Shabazz Napier hits the same cord.

Second, none of them are starting point guards. Watson is best suited off the bench. Appling is not good enough to start. Napier is not consistent enough or good enough to start.

All these point guard signings more or less solidify Elfrid Payton as the starting point guard for the foreseeable future. All these point guard signings were brought in not to push Payton but to supplement him in some way. Many of these guys can play with Payton if they are playing well or something else happens.

Payton is going to be given the latitude to make mistakes still. The Magic will hope his jump shot continues to develop and improve. That part does not change. But barring a humongous drop off in play and production, Payton is firmly entrenched as the team’s starting point guard.

There might be a time for Payton to get pushed, but that time is not now.

Next: Rob Hennigan's future