Elfrid Payton seemed to be the point guard of the future for the Orlando Magic. But 2016 was a year of inconsistency for the sophomore guard.
In the NBA today, it seems like one position has gained primacy over all others. As Jerry Brewer of The Washington Post detailed, the point guard position has taken a big transformation since the league changed rules to allow for more freedom of movement. Securing a good point guard is almost like securing a strong center was in the 1980s. It was a guaranteed way to contention.
It was a big search for every team. And when the Orlando Magic were looking to move on from Jameer Nelson they desperately sought a point guard for the future. They drafted one in Elfrid Payton and in his rookie year he looked like he had answered that big question for the Magic’s rebuild.
Payton was exceedingly strong in his rookie year. One of the true surprises of the 2014 Draft. He was solid working on the ball and leading the team. He wracked up a ton of statistics. His jumper still needed work, but that was something he could work on in time. He had all those intangible point guard skills . . . as a rookie.
There were a ton of expectations heaped on Payton. That point guard question seemed completely answered. The upward trajectory seemed inevitable.
Payton’s sophomore year brought new challenges.
There was a new coach — a demanding coach — implementing a more passing-based offense rather than the pick-and-roll, probing-heavy offense Jacque Vaughn favored. Payton had less freedom and he had to adjust. He showed growing pains for the first time.
Then injuries hit, clearly slowing him down and changing the way he played in some respects. In many respects.
Payton’s sophomore year was a struggle. A step back is not the exactly right way to describe it, but Payton did not have as good of a season. He looked more like a rookie, unsure of himself and figuring things out while making mistakes on the floor, than he did his rookie year.
It was a year of frustration for Payton. Things did not go as planned, it seemed. Every time he seemed about to find his rhythm and the Magic were getting on a roll, something would knock Payton back. In many ways, Payton was the Magic’s most important players. And his trials and tribulations all season predicted how the Magic would go.
Payton’s inconsistent play raised questions about his future. Doubt began to creep in some.
Perhaps there are better options out there to help the Magic take that next step. Perhaps Payton is not the answer.
It is hard to say that just two years into his career it is time to wholly give up on him. But his limitations came in stark contrast and focus from his rookie year. It became harder to overlook them and it became easier to ask: Is Elfrid Payton really the answer?
That answer may depend on how consistent Payton can become and whether he can get back to how he played his rookie year — with confidence and energy — is going to be the question for him moving forward.
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