Elfrid Payton to change Orlando Magic jersey number

The Orlando Magic on Wednesday announced that Elfrid Payton will switch uniform numbers for the 2017/18 season. Payton has elected to wear no. 2, his uniform number at Louisiana-Lafayette; he had worn no. 4 with Orlando since opening his NBA career in the 2014/15 season. Payton’s new number was in use during his first two season, with the since-departed Kyle O’Quinn laying claim to it. O’Quinn may indeed be the most notable player in franchise history to rock no. 2: other Magic men with that number include Jaren Jackson, DeShawn Stevenson, and Stacey Augmon.

Payton, 23, is coming off an up-and-down season, one in which he posted some career-best numbers—including 47.1 percent shooting, 12.8 points per game, and 4.7 rebounds per game—but also managed to lose his starting job twice. Perhaps another offseason of work, as well as continued growth under coach Frank Vogel, will help him take the proverbial next step in his career. Should he not make that leap, Orlando has, in D.J. Augustin and Shelvin Mack, two solid spot-starters to whom to turn.