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What is the finishing lineup for the Orlando Magic this season?

By Joe Buckley

Nov 11, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) reacts after he made the game winning shot in the last seconds of the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 101-99. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic center Nikola Vucevic (9) reacts after he made the game winning shot in the last seconds of the fourth quarter against the Los Angeles Lakers at Amway Center. Orlando Magic defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 101-99. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Elfrid Payton, Orlando Magic, Kent Bazemore, Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks
Feb 7, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) is blocked by Atlanta Hawks forward Kent Bazemore (24) and center Al Horford (15) during the second half of a basketball game at Amway Center. The Magic won 96-94. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Point Guard: Elfrid Payton

With the departure of Brandon Jennings and Shabazz Napier, the Magic had to bring in new floor generals.

They produced D.J. Augustin and retained C.J. Watson, who barely played last year. Both have had their share of crunch-time moments in the years, especially Watson. But Payton is very clearly the Magic’s guy at point guard in every aspect.

Payton has had to contend with position/role sharing with both Victor Oladipo and Jennings in previous years, but now should fully expect to have the reins handed to him.

What is working against Payton at this point is his shooting.

Despite his improved 3-point percentage, which jumped from 26.2 percent to 32.6percent between his first and second years (though he only launched 1.5 attempts a game), the long bomb is not yet a weapon for Payton.

Most would consider this a major weakness as thinking of crunch-time play is so often associated with a buzzer-beating three.

Of course, this is not the only part of finishing a game. You need someone with tough defense, someone who can keep the ball moving and someone who can manage the team late in games. Payton should provide all this.

Payton came up big for the Magic when it counted multiple times last season. He boasts a 35 percent assist rate in the fourth quarter and is more than happy to share the ball and let someone else have the glory and the after-game interviews.

That is a rare quality.

Next: Shooting Guard