Elfrid Payton has the most to prove to end the season

Even with his strong play of late, Elfrid Payton needs to finish the season strong as his future with the Orlando Magic is in doubt.

Elfrid Payton has played well the past month, averaging 12.2 points per game, 8.2 rebounds per game and 7.8 assists per game.

It is easy to credit the triple-doubles and his impressive stat sheet. Payton has taken to the Magic’s new style in the past month. And it has come at just the right time.

Just when it seemed the Orlando Magic were sure to look for an improved point guard option in the NBA Draft or elsewhere, Payton’s improved play has muddied the waters. He has seemingly found a style that fits him. Payton is producing at a high level.

And he has made the Magic’s decision about his upcoming extension a tough one. That leaves Payton with a lot to prove with the remaining games. So far he is rising to the challenge.

It might sound odd that Payton, who has essentially been the starting point guard since his rookie season, has the most to prove with nine regular season games left. But it is true. His future with the Magic is up in the air for several reasons — whether it be his contract status or uncertainty in the front office.

That answer to Payton’s future will remain unknown until the offseason gets underway. But if Payton wants to better his chances of getting a long-term extension, he needs to play at his best for the last stretch of games.

Of late, Payton has done so. He is playing aggressively on the offensive end and trying to score while trying to find open teammates in the process. Payton’s flaws have been well documented, but seeing him play at this level of late is reason for excitement.

Since the start of March, Payton is averaging an impressive 12.2 points per game, 7.7 assists per game and 8.2 rebounds per game. Add on four triple-doubles in his last 10 games and Payton has raised some eyebrows.

The Magic have been trying to find some positives of late, and Payton is one of the few examples.

The best way for Payton to essentially “force” Orlando’s hand and give him a contract would be to blow them away with the few games left in the season. All of the questions about Payton’s game will not be answered in such a short time, but he can surely highlight what he is great at.

For one, Payton is unselfish. He is always looking for the open man. Whether it be a lob to Aaron Gordon or a three-pointer from Evan Fournier, Payton sees his teammates well. On the season he is averaging just more than six assists per game, with a team that struggles on offense, this is an impressive number.

Another aspect of his game he can highlight is his athleticism and rebounding. Payton has good size for a point guard and he puts it to use by averaging a career-high 4.6 rebounds per game. That has only gone up since the All-Star Break, where he averages 7.9 boards per game.

In regards to his athletic ability, Payton can run the fast break and push the tempo for Orlando. The team may not be best suited for it, but when Orlando forces a turnover, he is always looking to force the action. He also has the speed to blow by defenders and attack the rim. Which is where most of his scoring comes from.

If Payton can prove his worth through his strengths, then the concerns about his game may take a back seat.

Obviously, with a handful of games left Payton is not going to prove to anyone he can shoot from the outside or play consistent defense. But he can show some consistency in both areas.

Looking at the numbers, Payton has been a better offensive player. His advanced numbers show he has become a better player. His offensive win shares (1.7), true shooting percentage (.516) and offensive box plus/minus (0.4) are all career-highs for Payton. And his play has picked up significantly since the All-Star Break — if the Magic decide to continue playing with this open, spread-the-floor style.

Orlando Magic

That may not be enough for the Magic to give him a long-term deal. In the modern-day NBA, point guards who cannot shoot are not what is best for business. Payton needs this last stretch of games to prove that even with his flaws, he is worth having around as a starting point guard.

If he cannot find a starting role for a team that struggles as much as Orlando has, it is going to be even harder to find starter minutes in another uniform.

This finish has certainly complicated the decision as his fit seems much more natural now than befor ethe All-Star Break.

There is a chance it could be too late for Payton and the Magic have already decided his fate. Even if that were the case, Payton desperately needs to show he can play an important role in the NBA.

It is not a question that Payton will garner plenty of interest on the free agent market when that time comes. But it could likely be as a backup. He needs to prove he is a starter and this last stretch is where he can do it.

Next: When the Orlando Magic trust the pass

That is what Payton has left to prove with these final nine games. He has certainly already started to do that.