SUNS GET THE POINT
Payton acquired for an extended audition at PG
Suns General Manager Ryan McDonough had one priority before Thursday’s 1 p.m. trade deadline: Acquire a point guard. McDonough wasn’t sure he could pull off a deal. But about 15 minutes before the deadline, he finally got what he wanted, acquiring point guard Elfrid Payton from the Orlando Magic for a second-round draft pick.
The point-guard position has been a revolving door since Eric Bledsoe was traded in late September. The Suns have used Mike James, Tyler Ulis, Isaiah Canaan, Devin Booker and, most recently, Josh Gray.
James was waived, Ulis hasn’t played up to last season’s standards, Canaan fractured his ankle and Booker has had to be both the team’s top scorer and playmaker – not an ideal scenario for a 21-year-old, even one as talented as Booker.
“I can’t remember a team having as many different things happen to different players at the same position,” McDonough said.
To make room for Payton on the roster, the Suns waived Canaan. Canaan fractured his ankle on Jan. 31, is out for the season and will be an unrestricted free agent. His contract is guaranteed, and Phoenix has told Canaan he can use the team’s facilities to rehab.
Payton, a fourth-year pro, averaged 13 points, 6.3 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game for the Magic this season. He’ll be a restricted free agent this summer.
The 6-foot-4 Payton, the 10th overall pick by Philadelphia in the 2014 draft, has not been a good shooter throughout his career, but this season he’s shooting 52 percent from the field and 37.3 percent from 3-point range.
Acquiring him accomplishes two things for the Suns. They finally have a legitimate starting point guard for the final 26 games of the season, and they get a long look at Payton, 23, before he hits free agency this summer.
Phoenix would have the rights to match any offer if a team tenders Payton a $4.5 million qualifying offer. It also controls Payton’s Bird Rights.
“We talked about a million things, but this was our main objective, preferably a young, talented point guard with some upside potential and the ability to be with us potentially beyond this year,” McDonough said. “We had a glaring need at the position. Frankly we didn’t think Elfrid would be available for the cost we ended up paying.”
McDonough said Payton and T.J. Warren were part of a pre-draft workout for the Suns in 2014. The two players have remained close friends, and McDonough said both Warren and Booker were excited about the deal.
“We really like Elfrid’s potential,” McDonough said. “He’s a bigger point guard, 23 years old, with good size and length. He’s improved his shooting. That’s been a big knock on him. Early in his career, he was not a great shooter.
“He’s always passed the ball well and accumulated a lot of assists. We like the player, and we can take the last 25 to 30 games of the season to evaluate to see if he’s a good long-term fit for us.”
McDonough said one important aspect in the Payton deal was taking some of the offensive burden off Booker. Booker will move back to his natural position of shooting guard.
McDonough hopes Payton, who has averaged 6.4 assists per game throughout his career, will make life easier for young players such as Josh Jackson, Dragan Bender and Marquese Chriss.