NBA experts weigh in on the Suns’ trade for point guard Elfrid Payton

In desperate need of a point guard, the Phoenix Suns acquired Elfrid Payton just before Thursday’s trade deadline in exchange for a second-round pick.

It was a move the Suns needed after injuries to Isaiah Canaan, Tyler Ulis and Devin Booker — who had seen time at the position during an experiment by interim head coach Jay Triano.

A former first-round pick by the Magic in 2014, Payton is averaging 13.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game. He is shooting 52 percent from the field and 37 percent from three-point range.

The 6-foot-4 point guard has the skill and potential upside to be a long-term option for the Suns. However, he struggled on defense during his time with the Magic.

Still, general manager Ryan McDonough managed to fill the void at point guard for a low price. It was a move that was well received by some NBA experts.

CBS Sports

Grade: B-

Chris Barnewall pointed out Payton’s defensive struggles while with the Magic. However, he admits that a change in scenery for the former first-round pick could turn that around.

There is nothing wrong with a low-risk trade, like how the Suns acquired Payton. They get a point guard that is actually a better offensive player than he’s given credit for. Payton is very good at attacking the rim in space and finding passing lanes for cutters. He’s improved as a shooter, but still isn’t great in that department, so he isn’t going to bring spacing but he’s capable of scoring.

ESPN

Grade: B

ESPN’s Kevin Pelton said that the Suns’ trade for Payton was “well worth the price,” especially for a team that has been struggling at the point guard position.

From the Suns’ standpoint, this is a low-cost look to see whether Payton can fill the hole at point guard they created by trading Eric Bledsoe earlier this season.

Without Bledsoe, Phoenix had perhaps the NBA’s worst point guard rotation. Second-year guard Tyler Ulis hasn’t been able to score efficiently against bigger defenders in the NBA and after some promising play journeyman Isaiah Canaan suffered a season-ending fractured ankle last week. (The Suns waived Canaan to make room on the roster for Payton.) About the best solution interim Phoenix head coach Jay Triano has found is playing Devin Booker at point guard, a role that doesn’t really maximize his value as a catch-and-shoot player.

Bleacher Report

Grade: B+

The only question Dan Favale has for the Suns regarding the future Elfrid Payton should it not work out, can they be counted on to handle it as they should?

I want to give the Suns perfect marks. Really, I do. They deserve a round of applause for parlaying a mid-end second-rounder into a player they need now and, potentially, later without assuming any risk.

If Payton doesn’t mesh in the backcourt with Devin Booker, the Suns can hit the peace-out button. If that duo plays nicely off each other, they’ll have Payton’s Bird rights in a freezing-cold market. Downside does not exist.

FanSided

Grade: A-

Gerald Bourguet believes the trade for Payton “lessens the burden” on Devin Booker.

The Suns still keep all three of their potential first-rounders (their own pick, the top-seven protected pick from the Miami Heat and a protected pick from the Milwaukee Bucks that’s unlikely to convey this year), and they get to take a chance on a young point guard who could use a change of scenery.

This buy-low trade lessens the burden on Booker to do everything and gives Phoenix an opportunity to take a flier on 23-year-old point guard who won’t be commanding any max offers this summer.

If he thrives alongside Booker and proves himself, perhaps the Suns can re-sign him to a fair deal. If not, they use him as a temporary stopgap to ease the load on Booker, cut Payton loose in free agency (or re-sign him to a cheap deal as a backup) and look to address their need for a franchise point guard in the draft or free agency.

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