Weaknesses
Payne is an all-around solid NBA prospect, but he’s not perfect. His lack of size could hurt him at the next level, especially since he’ll need to bulk up to make up for his lack of height. Right now, it seems inevitable that Payne will be bullied by more physical point guards.
Though he’s quick, Payne is not always particularly engaged on the defensive end. With his high basketball IQ and quick hands, he should put more of an emphasis on harassing his man when the ball is in his hands.
There’s also the question about how he’ll look when he’s matched up with more elite competition. In college, the Racers didn’t often see the kind of players Payne will now be competing against in draft workouts. Will his game look as crafty at the next level and the competition skyrockets?
Next: Potential Fit