2016-17 Orlando Magic Player Evaluations: Elfrid Payton
2018 Outlook
As the season wound down in a close game with the Detroit Pistons, Elfrid Payton was the guy the Orlando Magic relied on to hit some big shots. They trusted him with the ball and the game on the line.
Payton rewarded them hitting three consecutive jumpers to close out the Pistons and deliver the Magic a win.
The consequences of these shots should not be overlooked. The win dropped the Magic from a tie for the fourth most Lottery combinations to fifth. The joke was Payton literally saved his job by making those three shots.
The reality may not quite be that cut and dry. But this is a point guard heavy draft and three years of inconsistency has Payton’s future role with the Magic, if not his place outright on the team, in question.
Three years into his career, Payton has established some things about himself. But the biggest thing is his inconsistency. He is a quality point guard option, but his shortcomings can prevent him from playing at a starter level every game — at least for a winning team. It is always unclear what kind of Payton the team will get.
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At a certain point, a player has to define himself. And with the pressure for the Magic to win continuing to grow, questions have to be asked about Payton directly. Especially now that there will be a new general manager coming in.
Payton’s future with the Magic likely depends on what happens in the upcoming NBA Draft. If the Magic land a high pick, they likely will take a point guard like Markelle Fultz or Lonzo Ball. That means Payton’s days in Orlando are numbered. If they do not, Payton may get a reprieve.
Like with Vucevic for so long, Payton is a good option. And point guard is an important position that the Magic should not give up on Payton without having his replacement in place.
It sure seems like, with Payton’s restricted free agency looming after the 2018 season, that Payton’s days are numbered without significant improvement.