The Phoenix Suns and Orlando Magic are both sitting at the bottom of the NBA standings and in search of ways to improve their rosters going forward.
They decided to make a deal with one another on Thursday that evokes the classic phrase: “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure”.
The Magic agreed to trade starting point guard Elfrid Payton to the Phoenix Suns for a 2nd Round Pick.
Orlando has traded Elfrid Payton to Phoenix for a second-round pick, league source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 8, 2018
Phoenix is sending a 2018 second-round pick via Memphis to Orlando in the Payton deal, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 8, 2018
While Elfrid Payton never really worked in Orlando since being taken 10th in the 2014 NBA Draft and the Magic had made it pretty clear they didn’t intend to re-sign him in restricted free agency this summer, the Suns bought low and got a fantastic value here.
Payton is averaging 13.0 points, 6.3 assists and 4.0 rebounds in 28.6 minutes per game this season, but he is doing it in a much more efficient fashion.
Coming into the season as a 44% shooter from the field and a paltry 27% from three-point range, Payton has shot 52% from the field and 37.3% from three point range this season.
He is also 6’4″ with great quickness and length and all of the potential to be one of the better defensive point guards in the NBA. Potentially a perfect fit alongside the Suns star shooting guard Devin Booker.
Essentially the Magic got a 2nd round pick instead of letting him walk this summer and the Suns pawned off one of multiple 2nd round picks to take a chance and hold the restricted free agency rights to a point guard who could possibly fit alongside Devin Booker for the future as he is still only 23.
This is a good trade for the Suns.
