[high floorParticipant]

Elfrid Payton is one of the most interesting prospects in the NBA. For executives, analysts, and fans alike I feel Payton will be a case study, of sorts, to see if a Point Guard with a high usage rate can lead a team to contention who cannot shoot in today’s space and pace game. And make no mistake, Elfrid Payton cannot shoot at all, yet. He shot 42.5% from the field overall, 55% from the FT line, and 26% from behind the 3pt arc, for a lowly true shooting percentage of 45.6%. Yuck.  

However IMO that is where the knocks on his game stop. He has great size for his position, athletic ability (not many true point guards can do this), excellent court vision, defensive and rebounding potential, and leadership intangibles that jump off the page. He is such a fun ‘what if" player to project if he winds up learning to shoot ala The Glove from Oregon State or 1993-94 phenom prospect "Ason Kidd" (because he’s missing his J.. haha still gets me to laugh). Elfrid Payton, with a J, would be a force. These accolades and statistics from his rookie season outline and illustrate his upside:

• All Rookie 1st Team Selection
• Rookie of the month for March (13.2pts, 5.9rebs, 8.4assists)
• Led the entire NBA in assists for the month April
• Back to back triple doubles (1st rookie in 18 years to accomplish that feat)
• Played in all 82 games

I am a 100% believer in Elfrid Payton. He is a focused and intelligent young prospect who by all reports works very hard to improve his game. If his trajectory follows that of his namesake Gary Payton (7.2pts, 3rebs, 6.4assists as a rookie in Seattle) then Magic fans are in for a treat.

   

 

 

[The Scare Crow RisesParticipant]

I don’t think he’ll ever develop a decent outside shot though, at least not to the level at which a starter should be able to shoot, he will never be Gary Payton or Jason Kidd, I think he’ll be solid but not a Hall Of Fame level G

I’m actually most exited about Mario Henzonja and Aaron Gordon…I think those 2 young men have immense potential…

[high floorParticipant]

In hindsight do you think Philly should have kept Payton instead of MCW on draft night in 2014? I know that Hinkie never intended to keep Payton when he selected him @ 10 (just wanted Orlando to pay up). Or do you think the Laker pick that the 6er’s received last year for Carter-Williams could yield a better PG if they go that route?

[BallGawd01Participant]

I think this lakers pick because the lakers are going to be bad, but not one of the 3 worst teams (top 3 protected), therefore the pick should land in the top 5 or 7 which is a good return. Even if does land in top 3, which lakers get to keep pick, the following year (2017 draft) is no protection. That draft is better than this upcoming one as well, so in reality the sixers have 2 shots to get a top flight prospect. #TrustTheProcess  

[BallGawd01Participant]

I think this lakers pick because the lakers are going to be bad, but not one of the 3 worst teams (top 3 protected), therefore the pick should land in the top 5 or 7 which is a good return. Even if does land in top 3, which lakers get to keep pick, the following year (2017 draft) is no protection. That draft is better than this upcoming one as well, so in reality the sixers have 2 shots to get a top flight prospect. #TrustTheProcess  

[The Scare Crow RisesParticipant]

The Original trade was Payton for Saric and a 1st round pick(lost in the Bynum fiasco)

Philly already MCW and Wroten, both of which I think project to have better careers IMO, 76ers proved MCW was a bit expendable by trading him for a Potential Lotto Pick from Phoenix via the LA Lakers, I think the Lakers pick falls in the 8-14 range for better or worse, and I think we’ll add a player that can help us as much as a PG like Payton who still wont be able to shoot the ball better than Wroten or a PG in the 2016 draft class…

In hindsight I’d still make the trade for Saric and a 1st, Payton isn’t a can’t miss prospect, even though I do love his defense, but he could average out into Pat Beverly in 2-3 years, not what I’d target my PG to play like

Noel/Okafor/Saric/Embiid and potentially Simmons will need a PG that can shoot the ball and Tony Wroten will be an amazing 6th man behind that Pg and a Sg like Nik Stauskas… Payton wouldn’t fit in with this core IMO

[The Scare Crow RisesParticipant]

The Original trade was Payton for Saric and a 1st round pick(lost in the Bynum fiasco)

Philly already MCW and Wroten, both of which I think project to have better careers IMO, 76ers proved MCW was a bit expendable by trading him for a Potential Lotto Pick from Phoenix via the LA Lakers, I think the Lakers pick falls in the 8-14 range for better or worse, and I think we’ll add a player that can help us as much as a PG like Payton who still wont be able to shoot the ball better than Wroten or a PG in the 2016 draft class…

In hindsight I’d still make the trade for Saric and a 1st, Payton isn’t a can’t miss prospect, even though I do love his defense, but he could average out into Pat Beverly in 2-3 years, not what I’d target my PG to play like

Noel/Okafor/Saric/Embiid and potentially Simmons will need a PG that can shoot the ball and Tony Wroten will be an amazing 6th man behind that Pg and a Sg like Nik Stauskas… Payton wouldn’t fit in with this core IMO

[high floorParticipant]

In hindsight do you think Philly should have kept Payton instead of MCW on draft night in 2014? I know that Hinkie never intended to keep Payton when he selected him @ 10 (just wanted Orlando to pay up). Or do you think the Laker pick that the 6er’s received last year for Carter-Williams could yield a better PG if they go that route?

[The Scare Crow RisesParticipant]

I don’t think he’ll ever develop a decent outside shot though, at least not to the level at which a starter should be able to shoot, he will never be Gary Payton or Jason Kidd, I think he’ll be solid but not a Hall Of Fame level G

I’m actually most exited about Mario Henzonja and Aaron Gordon…I think those 2 young men have immense potential…

[CameronCrazy11Participant]

I’m really hoping Elfrid Payton can develop a respectable jumper because this Magic team could be special with him as the catalyst. Even if he doesn’t, I could see him being a taller Rajon Rondo type of player (without the attitude problems) which I’m sure Orlando fans would be ecstatic to have.

[CameronCrazy11Participant]

I’m really hoping Elfrid Payton can develop a respectable jumper because this Magic team could be special with him as the catalyst. Even if he doesn’t, I could see him being a taller Rajon Rondo type of player (without the attitude problems) which I’m sure Orlando fans would be ecstatic to have.

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 To me he is exactly like Rajon Rondo.  I see prime Rondo has Peyton’s absolutely ceiling.  I don’t think any player can get better than prime Rondo was without being able to shoot the ball. That is still a really good player and definitely a top 10 PG eventually.  In his prime I could see something like 14, 11, 6.

[high floorParticipant]

Definitely. I see a lot of similarities in their games. What worries me most about the Payton/Rondo comp is that Rondo had all-time great perimeter scorers at his disposal. Defenses can collapse on Payton all day until Harris/Oladipo/Gordon can learn to hit more accurately from the outside

[high floorParticipant]

Definitely. I see a lot of similarities in their games. What worries me most about the Payton/Rondo comp is that Rondo had all-time great perimeter scorers at his disposal. Defenses can collapse on Payton all day until Harris/Oladipo/Gordon can learn to hit more accurately from the outside

[Magic JordanParticipant]

 To me he is exactly like Rajon Rondo.  I see prime Rondo has Peyton’s absolutely ceiling.  I don’t think any player can get better than prime Rondo was without being able to shoot the ball. That is still a really good player and definitely a top 10 PG eventually.  In his prime I could see something like 14, 11, 6.

[JR RyderParticipant]

 I think his ceiling will be Jrue Holiday.  Orlando should be happy with that considering where they drafted him.  

[JR RyderParticipant]

 I think his ceiling will be Jrue Holiday.  Orlando should be happy with that considering where they drafted him.  

[Bmore_DCParticipant]

I am a huge believer in Payton. The Magic have done a good job surrounding him with scorers, so the fact he cant shoot, doesnt really effect his game IMO. Hes like a mix between Jason Kidd/Rajon Rondo but he will never be as good as J-Kidd. I dont see why he cant play a similar role Rondo played on the KG, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen championship squad. He can score easy buckets and his an underrated offensive rebounder. Its not like Russell Westbrook or John Wall are great shooters. 

And i dont understand why you guys are saying he will NEVER be able to learn to shoot. Is his shot broken? I have only see him play a few times and his shot actually looks ok. The announcers were saying the Magic shooting coaches didnt understand why his shot wasnt falling. 

Hes young, hes a freak athlete, he can pass, he can play defense, and he can rebound. He wont be a hall-of-famer but hes someone you can build a team around if youre patient. 

[Bmore_DCParticipant]

I am a huge believer in Payton. The Magic have done a good job surrounding him with scorers, so the fact he cant shoot, doesnt really effect his game IMO. Hes like a mix between Jason Kidd/Rajon Rondo but he will never be as good as J-Kidd. I dont see why he cant play a similar role Rondo played on the KG, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen championship squad. He can score easy buckets and his an underrated offensive rebounder. Its not like Russell Westbrook or John Wall are great shooters. 

And i dont understand why you guys are saying he will NEVER be able to learn to shoot. Is his shot broken? I have only see him play a few times and his shot actually looks ok. The announcers were saying the Magic shooting coaches didnt understand why his shot wasnt falling. 

Hes young, hes a freak athlete, he can pass, he can play defense, and he can rebound. He wont be a hall-of-famer but hes someone you can build a team around if youre patient. 

[Rip255]

Believer. Hes a natural ball player. High IQ. Good size and athleticism. First rate defender.

Starting PG for 10 years. Better than Reggie Jackson, worse than Peak Rondo.

2xAll Star.

 

 

[Rip255]

Believer. Hes a natural ball player. High IQ. Good size and athleticism. First rate defender.

Starting PG for 10 years. Better than Reggie Jackson, worse than Peak Rondo.

2xAll Star.

 

 

[Mr. HookShotParticipant]

One important issue is whether he starts together with Oladipo, Hezonja or someone else in the backcourt. As ‘high floor’ states, he needs shooters, and especially a shooter at the off-guard position. They have Oladipo, who is a very good player but not a good shooter, and Hezonja, who is tall and lanky for a SG, has the athleticism and the outside shot but seems a bit inconsistent (which makes sense considering he is a rookie).

[Mr. HookShotParticipant]

One important issue is whether he starts together with Oladipo, Hezonja or someone else in the backcourt. As ‘high floor’ states, he needs shooters, and especially a shooter at the off-guard position. They have Oladipo, who is a very good player but not a good shooter, and Hezonja, who is tall and lanky for a SG, has the athleticism and the outside shot but seems a bit inconsistent (which makes sense considering he is a rookie).

[Andrew1984Participant]

 He looks like a young Jamie Foxx. 

[Priest24Participant]

 He looks like Sasha from the Walking Dead. But seriously I believe when it’s all said and done he’ll be considered the 2nd best PG in Magic history behind Anfernee.Better passer than Jameer. Better penetrator than Skiles.Less energy but more court awareness than Armstrong. Probably second only in athleticism to Hardaway who was 3 inches taller. So I’m a huge believer in his ability as a player but still this team is going to have to grow together quickly in order to become a contender.

 

 

 

 

[Priest24Participant]

 He looks like Sasha from the Walking Dead. But seriously I believe when it’s all said and done he’ll be considered the 2nd best PG in Magic history behind Anfernee.Better passer than Jameer. Better penetrator than Skiles.Less energy but more court awareness than Armstrong. Probably second only in athleticism to Hardaway who was 3 inches taller. So I’m a huge believer in his ability as a player but still this team is going to have to grow together quickly in order to become a contender.

 

 

 

 

[Andrew1984Participant]

 He looks like a young Jamie Foxx. 

[DolanCareParticipant]

 I love Elfrid, but I do think he is on the wrong team. Or at least, his team needs to shake up the roster to accommodate him. To play with Oladipo, Gordon, Vucevic and even Harris is offensive suicide from the lack of shooting.

For Elfrid to truly shine he needs an open lane, from which he can make himself a threat, with options at the corner. Hezonja was a fantastic step in the right direction, Orlando needs to make more of these steps. It may involve moving Oladipo for the right deal. 

[DolanCareParticipant]

 I love Elfrid, but I do think he is on the wrong team. Or at least, his team needs to shake up the roster to accommodate him. To play with Oladipo, Gordon, Vucevic and even Harris is offensive suicide from the lack of shooting.

For Elfrid to truly shine he needs an open lane, from which he can make himself a threat, with options at the corner. Hezonja was a fantastic step in the right direction, Orlando needs to make more of these steps. It may involve moving Oladipo for the right deal. 

[Author]

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