NBA: 10 relative unknowns entering defining seasons in 2017-18

1. Elfrid Payton

It’s ironic to see Elfrid Payton‘s name atop this list when he’s improved in almost every statistical category during his first three years in the league, but it seems with each passing season, the Orlando Magic flip-flop more over his status as franchise point guard than a pancake.

Whether it’s been trade rumors, relegating him to sixth man duty or playing him behind the likes of D.J. Augustin, it’s no wonder the defensively oriented Payton has been unable to establish himself as the team’s point guard for an ongoing rebuild. Orlando’s lack of complementary talent and its thirst for the playoffs at all costs hasn’t helped either.

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Fortunately, with general manager John Hammond in charge now, perhaps a more patient approach has been adopted. That’s certainly good news for Payton, who became the franchise’s all-time leader in triple-doubles after posting five more last season — all of which came after the All-Star break and tied him for fifth in the NBA in triple-doubles on the year.

On the season, the third-year point guard averaged 12.8 points, 6.5 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game while shooting 47.1 percent from the field — all of which were career highs. It’s also worth mentioning that he’s still only 23 years old.

However, Payton has not become the defensive pest he was pegged to be throughout the draft process, and his lack of a 3-point jumper (28.9 percent last year after a more encouraging 32.6 percent the year before) is a major problem for the Magic’s pick-and-roll sets.

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As the Magic try to rebuild with youth, the jury’s still out on whether Payton is the man for the job at the 1. If he still can’t shoot or establish himself as a bonafide lockdown defender, he’s going to have a hard time convincing the Magic to pony up when he hits restricted free agency next summer.