The Orlando Magic opted not to extend Elfrid Payton and their point guard position seems as in flux as ever. Finding a point guard remains a top priority.
The point guard position is often described as the “coach on the court.” They establish the team’s identity because they have the ball in their hands the majority of the time. Therefore, their importance cannot be overestimated.
It is why attention always seems to turn toward the position when teams are struggling. And it is why everyone seems to grasp the importance of the position for the future.
This is the main reason why eyes have turned toward Elfrid Payton as the Orlando Magic’s losing streak has continued.
Payton, fresh off returning from a hamstring injury two weeks ago, has struggled since returning. He has not quite gotten up to speed and the team has suffered for it. His first two games back from injury are the only two the team has won.
Payton’s 9.8 points per game, 6.9 assists per game and 3.7 rebounds per game are all in line with his career averages. He is shooting 45.5 percent from the floor, above average for him. The Magic have continued to muddle along and Payton is still at the center of it.
His defense still has not shown much sign of improvement. The Magic are still asking questions at point guard. They still want and need more from their floor general. They are uncertain what to do at this position.
D.J. Augustin has not shown much sign of improvement either.
After his hot start, he is averaging a mere 7.2 points per game and shooting 46.2 percent from the floor. He too is still rounding into form after coming back from his hamstring injury. But no one views him as a long-term point guard fix.
The Magic’s season collapsed when their point guard depth evaporated from the injuries. Shelvin Mack did not work as an emergency third starter. Orlando is still searching. And that search may continue for some time. It does not seem likely Payton will get a new contract from the team. Not as he is playing now.
It is easy to look back and wonder. Especially as the team is losing. Scouts and fans anticipated the 2017 NBA Draft for years. The point guard crop was especially coveted.
That is why the Philadelphia 76ers traded for the top pick to get Markelle Fultz. That is why the Los Angeles Lakers would not trade the right to draft Lonzo Ball for a proven player in Paul George. The Sacramento Kings even seem to be on the right track after getting their point guard in De’Aaron Fox.
All three of those top rookies have struggled. Fultz is dealing with an injury. Ball is averaging 9.0 points and 7.1 assists per game on 31.5 percent shooting, hardly much better than Payton’s current numbers. Fox is averaging 10.7 points and 4.5 assists per game.
They passed on Dennis Smith Jr. (14.3 points and 4.3 assists per game on 43.3 percent shooting) and Frank Ntilikina (4.6 points per game and 35.2 percent shooting) and went with another rangy, versatile forward in Jonathan Isaac (6.1 points, 4.4 rebounds per game before his ankle injury two weeks ago).
The Magic had their reasons to pass on these young point guards and begin building back up around them. Maybe they believed in Jonathan Isaac more. He has given them every reason to affirm that belief with his early energetic play, especially on the defensive end.
In any case, they left the point guard question for another year and another offseason. The upcoming draft is not full of elite-level point guards — Alabama Crimson Tide guard Collin Sexton is the best one outside Luka Doncic.
The reasoning behind the Isaac pick was a long-term vision. But in a sense it was short-sighted. The team missed an opportunity to solidify this important position.
The organization is all in on Elfrid Payton now. The season is Payton or bust. There is no alternative. He is likely unchallenged as the starter. D.J. Augustin’s strong play has pushed him some. But Augustin will not solve the team’s problems. Orlando will still be weak defensively at point guard.
Payton is going to get his chance to prove his place with the team — and in the league — the rest of this season. But the narrative and the criticism about him is not changing.
The team will continue on with Payton and make a decision this summer. It is clear the Magic is not going to resolve the question about the point guard position anytime soon. But it is coming nonetheless.
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Orlando is still asking itself questions about the point guard position.