- Slug: Sports-Suns Payton Reax, 430 words
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By ROBERT GUNDRAN
Cronkite News
PHOENIX — With Elfrid Payton coming to Phoenix, Devin Booker won’t have to be the primary ball-handler, but that doesn’t mean he wants the ball any less.
“That’s fine by me, as long as the ball comes back,” Booker said, laughing.
With minutes left before Thursday’s trade deadline, the Suns traded a 2018 second-round draft pick to the Orlando Magic for point guard Payton.
The 23-year-old guard was in the midst of his fourth season with the Magic. In his 44 games with Orlando during the 2017-18 campaign, Payton averaged a career-best 13 points per game while shooting 52 percent from the field and 37.3 percent from behind the 3-point line, both career highs.
Coach Jay Triano said Payton will arrive in Phoenix on Friday night and will play against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday.
The former Magic point guard could possibly start, according to Triano. Payton’s minutes will be determined after the Suns see how he feels after traveling.
Phoenix was in dire need of a starting point guard after trades, injuries and regression put the Suns into a position where Triano had to start Booker as the primary ball-handler.
“(Payton) brings length at the point guard spot, and he’s a guy who has played the position for a couple of years in the NBA,” Triano said. “He’s a guy who can create shots for himself and others.”
Payton’s arrival in Phoenix allows Booker to get more minutes back in his natural position at shooting guard.
Payton will quickly become a recognizable figure to Suns fans due to his hairdo, which hangs over the front of his head like the bill of a baseball cap. Despite the marked style, Suns forward Josh Jackson doesn’t think Payton’s hairstyle will be recognized as better than his.
“No, no way, not worried at all,” Jackson said with a smirk.
Payton is set to be a restricted free agency after this season, meaning the Suns can match any offer once free agency starts. They’ll have 26 games to ascertain if he’s worth holding onto.
T.J. Warren, a member of the same draft class as Payton, thinks that the former top-10 pick will be appreciated by everyone in Phoenix on and off the court.
“He’s a high character guy,” Warren said. “He’s very well-mannered and respectful with a great personality. Everybody is going to love him here.”
Payton played three years at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette before he was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers with the 10th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. He was traded to the Magic on draft night.
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