Valley of the Suns
Fansided

Top-10 things to watch over the last ten games

By Adam Maynes

PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 2: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 2, 2018 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - MARCH 2: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns handles the ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 2, 2018 at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Michael Gonzales/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 13: .PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH Elfrid Payton #2 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half of the NBA game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Talking Stick Resort Arena on March 13, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona.The Cavaliers defeated the Suns 129-107. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH 13: .PHOENIX, AZ – MARCH Elfrid Payton #2 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half of the NBA game against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Talking Stick Resort Arena on March 13, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona.The Cavaliers defeated the Suns 129-107. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Is Elfrid Payton really starting point guard material?

After an incredible start (two triple-doubles in nine games) it appeared, albeit briefly, that Elfrid Payton could be the point guard of the future. However, one must continue to recall: he was traded by a team in desperate need of a point guard of the future themselves, for a mid-second round pick.

Since that introduction Payton has fallen back to earth and no longer looks like he is the dedicated point guard of the future. In fact, depending on what Ryan McDonough does this offseason to upgrade the roster all the way around, Payton might not even be a part of the future at all as that money saved could be used to acquire other, more talented players.

What to watch is to see if the starting point guard of the future is even on this roster at all. If not Payton (and if the Suns don’t want to run Booker at point – to my dismay) then it is likely Brandon Knight, but that doesn’t mean that Knight is going to be all that effective after missing the entire 2017-18 season.

If Payton plays decently enough and can be signed at an affordable rate, he might be able to play himself on the roster over these last ten games. He might not get a whole lot of interest in the free agency market and the Suns could retain him for the qualifying offer, ala Alex Len this season.

At the same time, if he doesn’t play well enough, then the Suns might not have any consideration moving forward and will be thanked for his time and allowed to move on.

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