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Elfrid Payton could be ideal second draft candidate

By Rucker Haringey

NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 26: Elfrid Payton #2 of the Phoenix Suns reacts during the first half against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on February 26, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 26: Elfrid Payton #2 of the Phoenix Suns reacts during the first half against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on February 26, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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Elfrid Payton isn’t the ideal starting point guard for the Orlando Magic or the Phoenix Suns, but he could turn out to be an excellent free agent signing.

The Suns took a flyer on Elfrid Payton at last year’s trade deadline and it clearly didn’t work out. That explains Phoenix’s decisions to cut bait on the talented point guard by renouncing his rights. Their decision doesn’t mean Payton can’t turn into a valuable for another NBA franchise next summer.

When the Suns elected to draft Elie Okobo with the No. 31 pick it made it pretty clear Payton’s time in the Valley of the Sun was done. The team renounced his rights, along with center Alex Len’s, to clear cap space to sign a meaningful free agent this summer. The logical question now is to ask whether or not another team might take a chance on the young point guard.

The answer to that question is almost certainly yes. Payton is a perfect candidate to succeed as what current Grizzlies executive John Hollinger described as a “second draft” acquisition. The idea behind the term is that some talented players fail during their rookie contract because of the situation as opposed to talent. As such, signing a young player after his rookie deal expires offers another team a chance to acquire a distressed asset.

Payton got two chances to succeed (one in Phoenix and one in Orlando) but he still has a chance to really fit this model. There’s no question he has talent. When you watch him play it’s clear he has NBA athleticism. He played well enough to average 12.7 points and 6.2 assists per game last season. That certainly isn’t great for a starting point guard, but it’s a decent base for his next team to build from.

Payton’s obvious deficiency is that he is not a quality shooter. When the Magic drafted him they could develop his three-point shooting. That hope never really materialized. He only shot 32.6 percent from behind the arc last season. In today’s era of pace and space, he doesn’t provide enough of the latter.

He is, however, a point guard who can really wreak havoc on opposing offenses. His defensive effort isn’t always up to par, but when it is, he can be a solidly above average perimeter defender. The fact he measures in at a legitimate 6-foot-4 with solid wingspan also gives him a chance to play in a switching scheme.

Payton’s next team needs to understand that he will never become anything more than an average three-point shooter. In fact, it’s more likely he’ll struggle to get to that mark. Instead of focusing on what he isn’t, his next team must focus on what he his.

Specifically, Payton projects to be a very good backup point guard that can excel when he’s surrounded by a lot of shooting. If he’s the worst shooter on the floor for his team, he can do solid work creating off the dribble. His ability to get to the rim and finish in traffic requires significant attention from opposing defenders.

Next: NBA Draft 2018: Way too early ROY rankings

Elfrid Payton isn’t a perfect fit for every team, but if he’s put into the right situation next season he may become one of free agency’s biggest bargains. No one blames the Suns for letting him go, but he could turn into a valuable role player for a playoff team next year.

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