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Orlando Magic: 25 Best Players To Play For The Magic

By Phil Watson

ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 11: A general view of Amway Center during the game between the Orlando Magic and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Amway Center on December 11, 2015 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 11: A general view of Amway Center during the game between the Orlando Magic and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Amway Center on December 11, 2015 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images) /
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Apr 6, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) tries to keep the ball inbounds as Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Jackson (1) looks on during the second half of a basketball game at Amway Center. The Pistons won 108-104. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 6, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Elfrid Payton (4) tries to keep the ball inbounds as Detroit Pistons guard Reggie Jackson (1) looks on during the second half of a basketball game at Amway Center. The Pistons won 108-104. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

player. 38. <strong>How acquired:</strong> Trade, Philadelphia 76ers, June 26, 2014.. PG. 2014-16. Elfrid Payton. 25

Elfrid Payton‘s size, ball-handling and defensive aptitude made him a top-level point guard prospect and led to his decision to leave Louisiana-Lafayette after a junior season in which he averaged 19.2 points, 6.0 rebounds and 5.9 assists per game while leading the Ragin’ Cajuns to the NCAA tournament.

The Philadelphia 76ers liked what they saw in Payton and took him with the 10th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft before trading his rights to the Orlando Magic for the rights to 12th overall pick Dario Saric and a first-round pick in 2017.

ORL_25_PAYTON
ORL_25_PAYTON /

It didn’t take long for Payton to find his way into the starting lineup as a rookie. Appearing in all 82 games, Payton was a first-team All-Rookie selection.

He made some incremental improvements in 2015-16, starting 69 of 73 games and averaging 10.7 points, 6.4 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 29.4 minutes per game, while his shooting improved to .436/.326/.589.

Payton dealt with some nagging injuries in his second season, missing four games in December with an ankle injury and five more in March with a sprained elbow.

In two seasons with Orlando, Payton is averaging 9.7 points, 6.5 assists, 3.9 rebounds and 1.5 steals in 29.9 minutes per game on .430/.306/.569 shooting.

His team option for 2016-17 was picked up Oct. 25, 2015, and he has a team option remaining for 2017-18 that must be exercised by the Magic before Nov. 1 to prevent Payton from becoming a restricted free agent in July 2018.

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