Will the Orlando Magic get consistency at point guard?
Injuries decimated the point guard position through the first quarter of the season. Elfrid Payton went down. Then D.J. Augustin went down. And that changed the Magic’s season.
Orlando’s success with D.J. Augustin as the starting point guard certainly raised some questions. And Payton did not play with a ton of consistency either.
The conclusion heading into Payton’s restricted free agency this summer was coming to a head. It felt like the Magic had to find an upgrade and move on.
The answer to that question might still be the same. It might simply be time for Orlando to move on from Payton. Indications and rumors are that the Magic are open to having Payton return, but it does seem like they are ready to move on.
In some respects, Payton is what he has always been. After a difficult first quarter of the season, he bounced back to his normal levels.
He averaged 14.2 points per game and 6.4 assists per game while shooting 52.2 percent from the floor in the second quarter of the season. That is a nice bit of statistical progression from Payton. Augustin never returned to that level he was at during the team’s hot start. So Payton is clearly the team’s starting point guard with the players on the roster.
But none of those statistics have led to wins. And there are some questions at least about whether Payton actually elevates his team. Sure, he produces statistically on offense, but his defense remains a bit of a problem. The defensive breakdowns often start with him.
And so the questions remain about whether the Magic will move forward with Payton as their point guard. Decision time is coming.
Orlando has gotten consistent play from Payton. But he has not made anyone believe in him for the long term. That might be the bigger deal.
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All of these questions will remain for the third quarter of the season. But things have obviously changed. The Magic are no longer competing for the Playoffs. Instead, everything has an eye on the future and development for 2019 and beyond.