Elfrid Payton Reportedly Traded to Suns for 2nd-Round Draft Pick
After spending four years with the Orlando Magic, point guard Elfrid Payton is reportedly on the move after he was traded to the Phoenix Suns on Thursday.
Per ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, the Magic will receive a second-round pick from the Suns for Payton.
Originally drafted 10th overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2014, the Magic acquired Payton on draft night hoping he would become their point guard of the future.
Despite some initial struggles with his shooting touch—he made just 43 percent of his field-goal attempts in his first two seasons—Payton has emerged as a well-rounded player in his fourth season. The 23-year-old is shooting a career-high 52 percent overall and 37.3 percent from three-point range.
In addition to his much-improved shot, Payton has always been a solid distributor. He's averaged at least 6.3 assists per game every year of his NBA career.
Earlier this season, Magic head coach Frank Vogel had high praise for his starting offense with Payton in the lineup, via Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel:
"The starting unit with Elfrid Payton last year was one of the best in the league and showed a lot of really good signs early in this season before Elfrid went down. I don't want to say, 'I just want to see what that looks like.' I think that's going to be a good lineup for us, and my anticipation is that we stay with that lineup."
Magic president Jeff Weltman, who was hired last May, is in the process of trying to build the team back into a playoff contender in the Eastern Conference.
After a promising 8-4 start this season, the Magic have bottomed out with just nine wins in their last 41 games and own the Eastern Conference's second-worst record (17-36).
With Payton able to receive a qualifying offer next season, Orlando's front office had to make a decision about its long-term future. The decision to move him now is a clear indication the Magic are undertaking another rebuild to add assets that will expedite the process.
Payton has been an effective role player for a struggling franchise over the past four seasons, so this fresh start is his chance to show he can succeed under a bigger spotlight.
Point guard is a position the Suns are trying to figure out. Tyler Ulis left their game on Wednesday against the San Antonio Spurs with back spasms. Brandon Knight has played the position in the past, but he's primarily a 2-guard.
The Suns are in a similar position as the Magic with an 18-38 record and the need to build a roster with long-term piece.
General manager Ryan McDonough is taking a look toward the Suns' future by dealing for Payton now, making them eligible to give him a qualifying offer before he hits restricted free agency this summer.
