Phoenix Suns acquire Elfrid Payton just before trade deadline buzzer

Who knew that the Troy Daniels trade right before training camp would come full circle at the trade deadline?

According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Phoenix Suns have acquired former Orlando Magic point guard Elfrid Payton for the second round pick Memphis sent originally alongside Daniels. It has been officially confirmed by a team source to Bright Side of the Sun.

The pick will likely convey anywhere from the 30s to 40s on draft night, dependent on where the Grizzlies finish in the standings.

Payton will be a restricted free agent this summer, so making a move like this is a gamble well worth taking. McDonough has always tried to target those types, and with a gigantic hole at point guard, this move makes sense in the short-term.

When looking at how Payton fits in with Phoenix, he’s not a shooter. Payton has a career average of 30% from beyond the arc, but he can get into the lane and create contact or drive-and-dish it back out.

So far this season, Payton has averaged 13 points, 4 rebounds, and 6.3 assists on 52/37.3/63.2 shooting splits. At age 23 — and for the price Phoenix had to barely pay — Payton is the roll of the dice that the front office should take in a lost season like this one.

Somehow landing both Daniels and Payton for nothing is a win for McDonough and the Suns, whichever way you slice it.