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Elfrid Payton’s days in Orlando are over.
According to Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN, the Magic sent the point guard to the Phoenix Suns for a second-round pick.
Orlando has traded Elfrid Payton to Phoenix for a second-round pick, league source tells ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 8, 2018
Phoenix is sending a 2018 second-round pick via Memphis to Orlando in the Payton deal, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 8, 2018
The return is not great to say the least for Orlando, but the move shows that the Magic had no intention of matching any offer Payton may have received when he reached restricted free agency this summer. Better to get something rather than nothing, even if only a second-rounder.
The New York Post reported that the Knicks had shown interest in Payton. The asking price may have been too high...
The Knicks and Magic were close to a deal involving Elfrid Payton - Orlando wanted Frank Ntilikina which New York refused to include in the trade.
— Ross (@LegionHoopsRoss) February 8, 2018
Payton, 23, has been having a career-year on the offensive end. He currently has career-bests in points (13.0), field goal percentage (53.0 percent) and three-point percentage (37.3). But as a liability on the defensive end, and with his limited shooting range as a point guard, he has long been a target for Magic fans.
Shelvin Mack or D.J. Augustin will shift into a starting role for the Magic.
The Magic traded for Payton on Draft Day in 2014 after he was selected with the 10th pick by the Philadelphia 76ers...
The Magic gave up Saric, the 35th pick in ‘15, and what potentially could have resulted in Philly’s 1st round pick this year for Payton
— O. Pinstriped Post (@OPPMagicBlog) February 8, 2018
In three-plus seasons with the Magic, Payton averaged 11.1 points, 6.4 assists and 4.2 rebounds.
More on this story coming soon from our Will Ogburn and Aaron Goldstone, who will be at Amway Arena tonight.