2017-18 Orlando Magic Player Evaluations: Adreian Payne

ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 13: Adreian Payne #33 of the Orlando Magic looks on during the game against the LA Clippers on December 13, 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 - DECEMBER 13: Adreian Payne #33 of the Orlando Magic looks on during the game against the LA Clippers on December 13, 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) /
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The Orlando Magic gave a two-way contract to Adreian Payne. And in a blink, his NBA opportunity evaporated. Mostly by his own doing.

No one would blame you if you blinked and missed Adreian Payne.

That could be the way to describe his entire NBA career. He had the hope and the chance throughout his career of being an athletic four capable of defending wings. Maybe the Michigan State Spartans pedigree was too much for him to live up to.

He struggled to get much consistency at any point in his NBA career. A two-way contract was the perfect way to try to get the most from him. Or get anything from him.

And then in a blink, Payne was gone. Really of his own doing. The past (or the alleged past) coming up to get him. Far too late for the Orlando Magic to get anything out of him or anything out of the spot he left open.

Payne struggled to provide much value for the Magic. Even with all the injuries. He was good for a moment or two, but far too few to make any kind of impact. And that is kind of what you have to do if you are on the fringes of the NBA. Make an impact, anyway that you can.

He made no impact. And then public relations turned on him — a situation completely of Payne’s own doing. The Magic discarded him. That is what happens when you do not stand out and you become more of a negative than a positive.

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Generated 4/28/2018.

Payne did not do much in the NBA. he appeared in only five games and played just 43 total minutes. He made seven of his 10 shots overall with the Magic.

Some of that was just mere opportunity. When he got playing time, he produced. He was capable of scoring and always stayed active around the basket.

That was what teams hoped to draft him for initially. He did not have a ton of refined skills but had length and motor around the basket. That was on full display in those limited minutes.

Against the Washington Wizards on Dec. 23, Payne scored seven points in 19:40, pressed into duty after Nikola Vucevic‘s injury. He scored 10 points in six minutes against the Chicago Bulls on Dec. 20. Both games included one 3-pointer.

Payne had that potential. It showed much more in the G-League than it did in the NBA.

With the Lakeland Magic, Payne averaged 14.1 points per game and 8.6 rebounds per game. He shot 44.2 percent from the floor overall.

For the G-League, a league known for occasionally gaudy statistics, those numbers are not too impressive. But Payne was solid and able to score around the basket.

Was he the versatile defender everyone imagined coming out of Michigan State? Not quite. Was he the versatile stretch-4 everyone hoped he could develop into? Not at all. Or at least in spurts.

It made things very difficult for Payne to gain traction.

His season affiliated with the Magic ended suddenly. He was cut after playing a game for the Lakeland Magic as news came out about his time at Michigan State.

The Orlando Magic would not say whether this was the reason he cut him. But it was surely not a coincidence the Magic cut Payne after reports came out from ESPN that he had been credibly accused of a sexual assault while a student at Michigan State.

When you are on the fringes of the NBA, your margin for error is small. And, in the least important part of this story, the Magic were not willing to deal with the public relations fall out of keeping Payne on the roster or affiliated with their brand.

That does not mean Payne would have gotten playing time. Maybe he would have taken advantage of it if he would have gotten it. But it was also clear Khem Birch was a better overall option. His defense was far more consistent. And that was more valuable in the end. Even if Birch had to play at power forward to end the year out of his natural position.

ADREIAN PAYNE. C-. . PF. Orlando Magic

Payne remained someone who seemed like he should have all the talent and ability to succeed in the NBA. He has some versatility and length. There are flashes to make everyone believe. But he never could put it all together.

The athleticism was all there, just without much direction. And that is where the season left Payne.

Next: 2017-18 Orlando Magic Player Evaluations: Terrence Ross

It may be a while before he gets another NBA shot again. It can leave in a blink just like that.