2018 Orlando Magic Player Outlook: Elfrid Payton

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Elfrid Payton, Orlando Magic, Atlanta Hawks

ORLANDO, FL – JANUARY 4: Elfrid Payton #4 of the Orlando Magic goes to the basket against the Atlanta Hawks on January 4, 2017 at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Overall Outlook

The Orlando Magic traded the draft rights to Dario Saric for the draft rights to Elfrid Payton. They invested a lot in him and made him the point guard of the future. Saric played very well last season which makes the move seem questionable in hindsight.

Now the management group that drafted and invested so much in Payton is gone. Payton has to prove himself all over again.

If the first stage of his audition was the end to last season, then he at least has started on the right foot. One could argue Elfrid Payton was the biggest beneficiary of the Serge Ibaka trade to the Toronto Raptors.

The current roster arguably complements Payton better than any group he has played with thus far. This sets Payton up to build off of his success from last season.

The run that Payton had to end last season and new roster gives reason to think Payton will show improvements. Also, Vogel’s will have a positive impact on the entire roster. This will be the first returning coach since Jacque Vaughn was let go in 2015.

Payton should have a firm claim on the Magic’s starting point guard role. But he is out of excuses to hold onto it. The Magic need to see him gain some consistency and put a firm imprint on this team and the team’s future. That is the part that remains uncertain with Payton.

Next: 2018 Orlando Magic Player Outlook: Nikola Vucevic

And the reason why so much importance encircles Payton this year.