Victor Oladipo, not Elfrid Payton to start at point guard for Orlando Magic?
The Orlando Magic will likely start Victor Oladipo at point guard instead of Elfrid Payton
The Orlando Magic had a busy offseason.
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Although they signed a few veterans like Channing Frye and Ben Gordon, the highlights were the selections of former Arizona Wildcats’ forward Aaron Gordon and former Louisiana Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns’ point guard Elfrid Payton in the 2014 NBA Draft.
Elfrid Payton was impressive in summer league while Aaron Gordon looked like a bit of a project.
However, Steve Kyler of Basketball Insiders believes Victor Oladipo will be the point guard while Payton comes off of the bench much like Oladipo did last season.
.@MagicalSaint: so Oladipo or Ridnour starts at PG for first months of season? --> Likely Oladipo. The two spot could be Harkless or Gordon.
— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) October 4, 2014
.@cathalloughran: Will Payton get many minutes early on? ---> Elfrid? I would expect it to be a lot like Oladipo was last year.
— Steve Kyler (@stevekylerNBA) October 4, 2014
It’d be fun to see the Magic play the two together and let their back court of the future get used to each other right away. However, if last year was any indication, Kyler is likely right.
As a rookie, Oladipo averaged 13.8 points, 4.1 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game while shooting 41.9% from the field, 32.7% from beyond the arc and 78.0% from the charity stripe last season. 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 for the Ragin’ Cajuns last season.
Be sure to check FanSided’s official NBA page to keep up to date on the latest news and rumors from around the league as we get you ready for the start of the 2014-2015 season.
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