Orlando Magic Daily
Fansided

Orlando Magic: 15 best draft picks of all time

By Philip Rossman-Reich

AUBURN HILLS, MI - JUNE 30: Chris Webber, number one overall pick by the Golden State Warriors, shakes hands with Penny Hardaway, number three overall pick by the Orlando Magic, during the NBA Draft at The Palace of Auburn Hills on June 30, 1993 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. 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 1993 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
AUBURN HILLS, MI - JUNE 30: Chris Webber, number one overall pick by the Golden State Warriors, shakes hands with Penny Hardaway, number three overall pick by the Orlando Magic, during the NBA Draft at The Palace of Auburn Hills on June 30, 1993 in Auburn Hills, Michigan. 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 1993 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 16
Next

2014 — 1st Round, Pick 10 (acquired in trade)

The Orlando Magic wanted a point guard in the 2014 Draft. They had already let longtime guard Jameer Nelson go and were ready to turn the page during this rebuild. They were determined to get one in this draft to set their rebuild on the right track.

Their draft night trade to move up two picks — dealing Dario Saric and a first-round pick that likely would not convey to the Philadelphia 76ers — to get him showed just how important they felt the position was. And just how much Rob Hennigan believed in Elfrid Payton.

There was no doubt Payton had some phenomenal moments in a Magic uniform. He is the team’s all-time leader in triple-doubles. And his 11.1 points, 6.4 assists and 4.2 rebounds per game in four seasons with the Magic are solid numbers. He was a four-year starter and a solid player at that, even with his notable shortcomings as a shooter.

Payton had a very good run in a Magic uniform. But it also coincides with the worst run in Magic history. And Payton was very much at the center of it.

Payton could put up solid numbers and fill the stat sheet, but his teams never won more than 35 games and there were zero Playoff appearances to his name. It also seemed, by various reports, management was so far in Payton’s corner that it cost them the team’s most successful coach of the last six years in Scott Skiles and possibly pushed the team to trade future All-Star Victor Oladipo.

It was extremely hard to find a good fit for Payton. And the Lefty Driesell Award winner in college as the nation’s best collegiate defender found himself struggling to keep NBA point guards in front of him. Sticking with Payton so long and so devotedly ultimately hurt the Magic in the long run.

Payton had more than a few moments for sure. But his time in Orlando was ultimately talent unfulfilled and full of frustration.