The Orlando Magic have agreed to send Elfrid Payton to the Phoenix Suns for a 2018 draft pick. Here are NBA Trade Grades for both sides.
The Phoenix Suns were not expected to make a move at the 2018 NBA Trade Deadline, but following a 48-point demolition at the hands of the San Antonio Spurs that saw starting point guard Tyler Ulis go down with back spasms Wednesday night, it was inherently clear they needed help in the backcourt.
As such, general manager Ryan McDonough came out of nowhere (as he usually does) to swing a deal for a point guard in the final hour leading up to the deadline.
As first reported by ESPN‘s Adrian Wojnarowski, the Suns will acquire Elfrid Payton from the Orlando Magic at the mere cost of a second round pick.
The pick in question will be an extra 2018 second-rounder the Suns originally acquired from the Memphis Grizzlies in the Troy Daniels trade, per Woj.
However, according to Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel, the pick being sent is actually the second-most favorable pick among Charlotte’s 2018 second-rounder, Memphis’ 2018 second-rounder and Miami’s 2018 second-rounder. As of right now, that’d be the Hornets pick at No. 41.
The question is, how will Payton fit in with Devin Booker and the Suns? And did the Magic get fleeced for their former top-10 pick? To sort it all out, here are the latest NBA Trade Grades.