Valley of the Suns
Fansided

Options for Suns second 2-way contract

By Khaleel Abdullah

Ryan McDonough Phoenix Suns (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
Ryan McDonough Phoenix Suns (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 8: Gary Payton II #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Utah Jazz on April 8, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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 Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 8: Gary Payton II #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers looks on during the game against the Utah Jazz on April 8, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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 Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /

#7 Gary Payton II (6-3 195, 25-years-old)

Yes, he’s the son of the Hall of Famer. That alone makes him intriguing. He also played some high school ball at Westwind Prep in Phoenix.

But, we aren’t looking at names or relations. We’re talking game and earning a contract.

Junior was twice named 1st Team All PAC-12 and twice named PAC-12 Defensive Player of the Year. He has his dad’s “Glove” on D.

He’s had 2 NBA stints so far, one with the Lakers and one with the Bucks where he shot a lowly 39% from the field and 20% from beyond the arc for 3.1 points, 1.2 assists and 0.3 steals in 11 minutes.

But before we say yuck and move on, his G-League numbers for the 2017-18 season had him making 47% of his shots and averaging 17.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 1.9 steals and 0.7 blocks in 29 minutes per game. In a trio of playoff games he was a force, making 4 of 10 long bombs to the tune of 25.7 points, 10.3 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals and 2 blocks per game. He has it in him – the defense, play making and scoring.

Head Coach Kokoskov has worked with numerous guards on their shots. GPII just needs to be unleashed.

Speaking of unleashed, watch the Youtube video of him playing a G-League game in December of 2016 where he made 20 of 29 buckets, scoring 51 points with his dad watching. Again, for a team that could use help at the point, we’re just talking a 2 way. Nothing to lose.

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