Adreian Payne

Adreian Payne
PF, 6’10, 237lbs, 26 years old, 3 years of experience

Played better than ever before, but also in only 180 minutes. In three NBA seasons, Payne has not shown himself to be a post-up player, driver, shooter, stand-out rebounder or defender. The jack of all trades and master of none has not found a role, nor does he appear to have the talent level to survive as a utility player. Now aged 26, Payne is not really a prospect any more. This is probably it for him, unless he can get a camp contract somewhere and show that which he has never shown prior.

Player Plan: Expiring rookie scale contract who did not have his fourth season exercised last summer, and did nothing in the year hence to question that decision. Will probably fall out of the league.

[...] Michigan State has struggled to find the right big men combinations this season. 6'10 sophomore Garrick Sherman has been an occasional starter, but he's unathletic and a mediocre rebounder, who struggles to guard anybody. He is at the least a good passer, who makes his open looks around the basket, so much so that he shoots the odd percentages of 69% from the field and 37% from the foul line. (Is that better or worse than shooting 37% from the field and 69% from the line?) Speaking of terrible free throw shooting, very strong sophomore centre Derrick Nix has almost doubled his percentage, from 27% last season to 53% in this. But it's about the only thing he's improved; he is still overweight, clumsy and easily exposed in quicker matchups. Athletic freshman Adreian Payne has had his moments in the paint, but not without a huge amount of mistakes; this leaves 6'8 junior Delvon Roe as the only consistent frontcourt performer. Roe has reinvented himself into a technically precise defensive presence and good rebounder, who contributes some finishes around the rim, if not a whole lot of creating. Worryingly, however, he continues to have knee problems.