2018 Orlando Magic Player Outlook: Elfrid Payton
Coach Frank Vogel’s responsibility lies with developing Elfrid Payton starts with consistent play and a defined role on the Orlando Magic in 2018.
There is no avoiding the reality for third-year starter Elfrid Payton. Payton is entering a contract year with the Orlando Magic this upcoming season. Next summer Payton will be a restricted free agent which will force the Magic to make a decision on his future in Orlando.
After three years of playing largely as the starter, but bouncing in and out of the starting lineup, it is still hard to say definitively what Payton is or where he works best. He has undoubted playmaking and passing skill. But his shooting and defense have not come around. He has not put together much consistency on the floor.
His contract situation — and the Magic passing on a point guard in a point guard-heavy 2017 NBA Draft — puts Payton firmly in the crosshairs. His success or failure will be critical to the team’s success.
Coach Frank Vogel and Magic leadership will need to be definite of Payton’s role. That was something he did not always have last year as Vogel tried desperately to find a combination that worked for his team. That often meant Vogel pulled Payton, and his struggling shot, to the bench.
Orlando Magic
That was something that clearly could not last. What little success the Magic experienced last year, they found by putting the ball in Payton’s hands. Payton played the best basketball of his career the season half of last season and Vogel needs to build upon that success.
Payton’s performance since he was drafted in 2014 has been the definition of a roller coaster. During the 2017 season, that seemed to be even worse.
Payton managed to bring up his points-per-game average up to 12.8 from 10.7 the prior season. But Payton also managed for his 3-point shooting to drop from 32.6 percent in 2016 to 27.4 percent in 2017.
Payton brought his scoring average up last season despite his poor 3-point shooting. This was due to his ability to push the fast break and get to the basket as well as improving his free throw shooting. The Magic’s trade of Serge Ibaka to the Toronto Raptors seemed to free up Payton to push the offense.
His second half of the season was stellar. He racked up five triple-doubles in the second half of the season and averaged 13.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 8.4 assists per game. Even his shot came around. He took far fewer 3-point shots and made 50.8 percent of his shots after the All-Star Break.
If there was a reason to be optimistic about the upcoming season, Payton’s play to end the season was a big reason why.
The reality with Payton is he is still a young player at 23 years old. He has been in-and-out of the starting lineup his first three years in the league, which undoubtedly impacts his growth. For the 2018 season, Vogel is responsible for staying with Payton as the starter and giving him the keys to let him and the offense flourish.