10 young NBA players in need of a breakout season in 2017-18

2. Elfrid Payton

Hey look, another player recently drafted by the Orlando Magic! Unlike Aaron Gordon, the slow-going progress of fellow 2014 draft pick Elfrid Payton is more of an issue because the team has been actively searching for an upgrade at his position.

After years of bouncing back and forth between the starting lineup and the second unit, Payton finally strung together some momentum near the end of last season, averaging 13.5 points, 8.4 assists and 7.0 rebounds per game after the All-Star break. He also tallied five triple-doubles in that span, making him the franchise’s all-time leader.

The Magic are hoping that momentum carries over into next season, but they haven’t committed to him as their long-term starting point guard either. Entering his fourth season, Payton needs to fine-tune that ugly stroke of his and definitively prove he’s the man for the job…or prepare for another year of constant trade speculation.