The Verdict: Payton is a Downgrade

Elfrid Payton will certainly be a downgrade for the Pelicans at point guard, especially if they choose to start him like they did Rondo.

And this is neglecting the fact that there is no such thing as Playoff-Payton.

Even though their games are alike at a glance, Payton’s even worse three-point shooting and looseness with the ball could stall New Orleans’s offense. And his porous defense could force Anthony Davis into hero-ball shoot-outs.

If I were the Pelicans, I would move Jrue Holiday back to the starting point guard spot and have Payton come off the bench. I would view Payton as a rehabilitation project who still retains tremendous upside at only 24-years-old. He has the abilities to become Rondo-like for the Pelicans as a pass-first, defensive-minded guard, but he has thus far lacked consistency on either end of the floor.

Allow him to find his place in the system and play to his strengths. Give him lineups filled with shooters and a superstar in AD to throw the ball to in the high post when things get stagnant, and break his bad habits by sitting him when he starts to go freelance on defense.

There is certainly a reality in which Payton has a career year next season. He has never been on anything but bottom-feeding teams. To be in the middle of a more competent franchise with an MVP-candidate could do wonders for his complementary-style of game.

But like any player with potential who still hasn’t proven anything yet: I’ll believe it when I see it.