[high floorParticipant]

I posted a topic prior to the draft that Orlando should bite the bullet and trade Elfrid Payton, and then select Dennis Smith jr with their #6 pick. As most know Elfrid Payton’s market was tepid…. so the return for the Magic wouldn’t have been great…. as I believed he’d generate the most interest as a high-level backup on a contending team. I liked Elfrid as a back-up on the Cavs, since his shooting deficiency would be less mitigated on a team full of 3pt snipers. But outside of the Cavs giving up another future 1st, I didn’t see a clear path for them offering anything in return that would interest the Orlando Brass. Thus making a deal with Cleveland unlikely.

Fast forward to now, and the Magic have selected Jonathan Isaac instead…. giving Payton another chance to prove that’s he’s a starting caliber point guard. Yes, Elfrid’s numbers improved a bit last season. But what’s really disappointed me are his struggles on the defensive end of the floor. He was touted as an elite defensive prospect, but he gets smoked on that end of the floor game after game. Combine that with poor outside shooting, poor FT shooting, and below league average finishing at the rim percentages… Payton faces an uphill battle to win back Orlando’s confidence as their point guard of the future.

For his positives, he does get into the paint well & possesses good athleticism. He has a contract year ahead of him too, which may be the motivator he needs to really excel defensively. Payton needs to be a surefire top 5-10 defender for his position to offset his shooting liability. Maybe he proves it this season.

Any other thoughts or perspectives on Payton?

[thetrademachineryParticipant]

 orlando has the worst squad in nba now, worse than Nets. Payton is a good playmaker but he wont show his talents with this squad. I can see him going to spurs next season and revitalize his career, being a replacement for Parker.

If i were spurs i would dumb aldridge for payton hezonja and vucevic. orlando has a tendency to accept dull trades.

 

[Arc12345Participant]

Not even remotely close to being as bad at ATL. 

[HobbyOGParticipant]

 He needs a change of scenery.Orlando does a terrible job developing the young guys

[MatosParticipant]

 Not a starting PG. Good bench player. Orlando needs to move on.

[bigtymer32Participant]

 he needs a be on another team.orlando is horrible at developing talent.he needs shooters around him to be best used.right now he looks like a back up pg but i think the jury is still out on him.

[EndlessknightParticipant]

Still believe. He’s improved every year. Go check out is post all-star game numbers, they were damn good.

You should never give up on a player who still improving. Only after they’ve plateaued or regressed can you write them off.

[Evan_MilbergParticipant]

Honestly I wouldn’t have blamed them if they had picked Dennis Smith Jr. Would’ve given them the franchise-changing talent they need. They then could’ve traded Payton for a frontcourt piece.

As for Payton himself, I could see him flourishing in a backup role on a team that needs PG depth. The NBA is loaded at the position, and in order to stick around as a starter you have to be exceptional in at least one category. 

[OhCanada-Participant]

 Needs to cut the his hair. 

[Evan_MilbergParticipant]

He’s not trying to be a quarterback.

[EndlessknightParticipant]

Post All-star game Payton averaged 13.5pts, 7rebs, 8.4a while shooting 50.8% fg and 74.3% ft.

One would have to be crazy to give up on that kind on potential.

[JordanC20Participant]

 Nah the dude is average…and he doesn’t seem to be the kind of guy that has the drive to improve.

[EndlessknightParticipant]

He improved every year but doesn’t have the drive to improve? At some point reality has to overcome opinion.

[Author]

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