Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

Aaron Gordon, Elfrid Payton extensions do not seem likely before deadline

By Philip Rossman-Reich

ORLANDO, FL - APRIL 6: Aaron Gordon #00 and Elfrid Payton #4 of the Orlando Magic are seen during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on April 6, 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)
ORLANDO, FL - APRIL 6: Aaron Gordon #00 and Elfrid Payton #4 of the Orlando Magic are seen during the game against the Brooklyn Nets on April 6, 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) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Orlando Magic’s two upcoming free agents do not seem like they will get extensions soon. Aaron Gordon and Elfrid Payton will have to play out the year.

Aaron Gordon got sheepish when the talk turned to his future with the Orlando Magic.

Hang around Gordon long enough at any time and he will talk about being present and in the moment. It is part of his approach to the game. He does not like to talk about things too far down the road. Gordon does not even like to talk so much about himself or his exploits. He typically remains focused on the task in front of him.

Ask him what position he would rather play? He will still say wherever the coaches want him. Gordon has that confidence to play small forward and power forward even if the answer is still painfully obvious at the 4.

Ask him about his future with the team entering this critical season and about the contract extension he is eligible for? Gordon is even more sheepish.

At Media Day, he said he would leave that up to his representatives and not think about the possibly tough contract negotiations and his impending restricted free agency.

"“I don’t think too much about it,” Gordon told Orlando Magic Daily at Media Day on Monday. “I know that and I am aware that is the case. But I play the game for the love and for the joy. Thinking about that stuff makes my game impure.”"

The Orlando Magic, Aaron Gordon and Elfrid Payton all are in the midst of this summer of change. Both Gordon and Payton are eligible for extensions by the Oct. 16 deadline to come to an agreement. If they do not reach an extension agreement by then, they will turn to restricted free agency next summer.

That road has proven to be pretty perilous. Nerlens Noel and Nikola Mirotic did not reach an agreement until just before training camp and there were more than a few restricted free agents who found their market less than desirable.

That uncertainty, added on top of a new management group, has Magic management also taking a bit of a pause.

President of basketball operations Jeff Weltman admitted in an interview with Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel he is taking this year to evaluate the roster and get to know the team a bit better.

That would make negotiating an extension hard, especially considering how inconsistent both Gordon and Payton have been to this point in their careers.

"“One thing I can tell you is they’re both very talented and they’re both very high-character guys who want to win, and that’s a lot,” Weltman told the Orlando Sentinel. “So from there, now you start to talk about the potential of a player versus the real value of a player today. I’m not going to speak specifically to Elfrid and Aaron, but these are where rookie extension negotiations go. They go: ‘Here’s what the player’s worth today. Here’s what we all think that he can become one day. And somewhere in the middle there, is there a deal to be done?” And it’s not easy. It’s not easy to get those deals done. And I’m not sure. I think it is further complicated by the fact that we are new to this situation and we have some familiarity to get to. But those conversations take place always in that space, and we’ll have those conversations.”"

The reactions from both the players and management seem to suggest it will be difficult to get an extension done. Even trying to estimate the value of these two players is a bit of a difficult task.

Gordon seems likely to get taken care of fairly quickly at some point next summer. Payton might have a more uncertain market. But both players have not exactly proven their value in the league quite yet.

Gordon averaged a career-high 12.7 points per game last year. But he struggled to adjust to the small forward role as his field goal percentage and his rebounds dropped. After the All-Star Break, where he primarily played at power forward, he averaged 16.4 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. His field goal percentage shot back up to better than 50 percent.

Gordon said his main goal for the summer was to make it through healthy and cash in on all the work he did in training camp. He accomplished that goal and so it seems likely he could take a bit of a leap this season. If he is going to take a leap, it would seemingly have to happen now.

The same could be said for Payton. He averaged career highs with 12.8 points, 4.7 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game last season. But his defense continued to suffer and he struggled to remain consistent.

But, like with so many other players after the All-Star Break, he was a catalyst for the team’s improvement, averaging 13.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 8.4 assists per game after the All-Star Break.

Both players have teased with their play. But neither player has hit that consistent level for a surefire long-term investment in an extension.

It would seem both players are trying to put this out of their mind as training camp starts. Even as their representative are likely in contact with the Magic.

"“If it does, it does. If it doesn’t, it doesn’t,” Payton told Orlando Magic Daily during Media Day on Monday. “I’m a firm believer that what is for me is for me. That is the furthest thing from my mind right now.”"

It would seem then both players will enter the season without that extension. Things can almost certainly change.

Next: Orlando Magic start training camp with familiar beats

But the posture from the players, their play to this point in their careers and Magic management getting comfortable would all suggest a deal is not imminent.