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Orlando Magic Daily Mailbag Volume 22: Drafting a dream

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Mar 24, 2017; Glendale, AZ, USA; The basketball court for the NCAA Men’s Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. The court is made from 397 4’ x 7’ panels of Northern Hard Maple, weighing approximately 188 pounds each. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher/The Arizona Republic via USA TODAY NETWORK
Mar 24, 2017; Glendale, AZ, USA; The basketball court for the NCAA Men’s Final Four at University of Phoenix Stadium. The court is made from 397 4’ x 7’ panels of Northern Hard Maple, weighing approximately 188 pounds each. Mandatory Credit: Rob Schumacher/The Arizona Republic via USA TODAY NETWORK /
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Elfrid Payton, Orlando Magic, Cory Joseph, Toronto Raptors
Mar 27, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) loses his handle on the ball as Toronto Raptors point guard Cory Joseph (6) defends at Air Canada Centre. The Raptors beat the Magic 131-112. Mandatory Credit: Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Elfrid Payton has been one of the biggest conundrums for the Orlando Magic for the last two years. The mystery has only deepened this year. And it has become a puzzle wrapped inside of an enigma wrapped inside of something else since the All-Star Break.

Essentially, Elfrid Payton after the All-Star Break has been exactly the Elfrid Payton the Magic have wanted to see offensively. He is aggressively driving the lane and finishing at the rim. He is sucking the defense and passing back out to the perimeter for open shots. And Payton looks like one of the best rebounding point guard sin the league.

If only we could fully believe 17-game sample sizes. Because Payton has this in him. But we have not seen him do it consistently. He has put up a ton of good numbers with the open space. But how sustainable is this and will it bring the Magic some wins?

That is the big question.

Payton is in the same boat I have had Nikola Vucevic in for a while now. He is a fine starter, fully capable fo playing those minutes. But if a better option comes along, the team has to go for it.

His shaky defense and his inconsistent jumper become huge disadvantages when he is in the half court. I am not sure Payton is the starter long term for this team. And I am not sure he would be successful off the bench without a lot of shooting around him.

So when it comes to this Draft, if a point guard is the best player available and he projects better than Payton, you go for him. I would take Markelle Fultz, Lonzo Ball and Dennis Smith over Payton. When you get to Frank Ntilikna or De’Aaron Fox, maybe I pause. They are all very similar players.

But if a point guard is the best guy available, the Magic should take him and begin grooming him to replace Payton on the roster.

Next: What's next for the Orlando Magic after Playoff elimination

Thanks as always for the questions everyone! You can always contact and interact with the site on Twitter @omagicdaily. And you can contact the show by e-mail at omagicdaily@gmail.com. I am sure I will be back for another Mailbag once the season ends.