NBA Draft Rumors 2014: Orlando Magic to work out Tyler Ennis, Elfrid Payton
That Orlando Magic need a point guard. That much is obvious.
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The incumbent, Jameer Nelson, is clearly on the decline and the Magic can actually get rid of Nelson by buying him for just $2 million of the $8 million he is owed for the 2014-2015 season since his contract is only partially guaranteed. The Magic tried to use their 2013 draft pick, Victor Oladipo, the second-overall pick of the draft, as a point guard, but he looks better suited as a shooting guard.
The Magic are reportedly very interested in Australian point guard Dante Exum and are bringing former Oklahoma State Cowboys’ point guard Marcus Smart back for a second workout.
According to Alex Kennedy of Basketball Insiders, in addition to Smart and Exum, the Magic are also showing interest in former Syracuse Orange point guard Tyler Ennis and former Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns’ point guard Elfrid Payton and will soon work both players out.
The Magic continue to work out PGs. They've worked out Marcus Smart, and they'll work out Tyler Ennis and Elfrid Payton over next few days.
— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) June 6, 2014
Smart went for 18.0 points, 5.9 rebounds and 4.8 assists per game last season while shooting 42.2% from the field, 29.9% from three and 72.8% from the free throw line. At the NBA’s Scouting Combine, he measured in at 6’3.25 and 227 lbs. with a wingspan of 6’9.25.
Ennis put up 12.9 points, 5.5 assists and 3.4 rebounds per game while shooting 41.1% from the field, 35.3% from beyond the arc and 76.5% from the charity stripe. He measured in at 6’2.5 and 182 lbs. with a wingspan of 6’7.25.
Payton put up 19.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 2.3 steals per game and shot 50.0% from the floor, but just 25.9% from beyond the arc and 59.0% from the free throw line. He measured in at 6’3.75 and 185 lbs. with a wingspan of 6’8.