Phoenix Suns: Devin Booker, T.J. Warren give thumbs up to Elfrid Payton deal

Devin Booker is fine giving up the basketball to new Suns point guard Elfrid Payton. But that approval has an asterisk.

“As long as it comes back, I’m good,” Booker said.

Don’t worry. Booker was joking Friday when talking to reporters. Like the rest of the Suns, he’s energized about Phoenix’s acquisition of Payton, which occurred about 15 minutes before Thursday’s trade deadline. Phoenix dealt one of its four second-round picks in June’s draft to acquire the 23-year-old Payton, who averaged 13 points, 6.3 assists and 4.0 rebounds per game this season for Orlando.

“He brings that defensive mindset and he’s a playmaker who can score, too,” Booker said. “Bringing that defensive presence to the floor I’m sure will be contagious.”

The Suns generally received positive reviews around the league for only having to give up a second-round pick for Payton, who is expected to make his Phoenix debut Saturday against Denver. In Orlando, however, one columnist wrote, “There is simply not a whole lot of demand for marginal point guards who can’t shoot and can’t defend.”

Payton is a career 30.5 percent shooter from 3-point range, but he’s shooting 37.3 percent this season. As for his defense, that was supposed to be Payton’s calling card coming out of Louisiana-Lafayette, but he has a 113.5 defensive rating this season, which ranks behind Booker and Tyler Ulis.

“It’s going to be a matter of him fitting into our system and then feeling comfortable with it,” interim coach Jay Triano said. “You are the first line of defense, so it’s going to be important.”

The Suns view Payton, who will be a restricted free agent following the season, as a low-risk acquisition. They have 26 games to see if he’s part of their future. They also believe he’s an immediate upgrade at the position. Payton will become Phoenix’s sixth starting point guard, following Eric Bledsoe, Mike James, Ulis, Booker and Isaiah Canaan, who was waived to make room for Payton on the roster.

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“Length at the point guard spot, a guy who’s played the position a couple of years in the NBA now,” Triano said of Payton. “A guy who can get in the lane, a guy who can create shots for himself and others. … It’s going to be him at point guard being able to create shots for Devin so he doesn’t have to work maybe quite so hard to get catches and looks in the right spots.”

Forward T.J. Warren has known Payton since college. The two worked out together for three months following their college careers – they are represented by the same agency – and have remained close friends.

“He brings physicality, length, a defensive-minded guard,” Warren said. “He can create his own shot. It’s a great addition for us. … Elfrid knows how to set guys up. I feel like he comes in makes plays for a lot of guys on our team. He makes life easier for a lot of guys.”

Warren also raved about Payton’s character. In the 2016-17 season Payton received the Magic’s community service award for his work in the Orlando community.

“Very well-mannered, respectful, stand-up guy,” Warren said. “A great personality. Everybody is going to love him here.”

RELATED:Payton in, but Booker likely out against Nuggets on Saturday

Saturday's game

Nuggets at Suns

When: 7 p.m.

Where: Talking Stick Resort Arena

TV/radio: ESPN/FSAZ/KTAR 98.7 FM

Update: The Suns, who have lost four straight games and nine of 10, will be bolstered by the debut of point guard Elfrid Payton, acquired Thursday from the Orlando Magic. Payton is expected to play and possibly start. Phoenix likely won’t have Devin Booker available, though. Booker (hip pointer) did not practice Saturday and interim coach Jay Triano said it’s unlikely Booker will play. Backup point guard Tyler Ulis (back spasms) also is expected to miss the game. The Nuggets were 29-25 heading into Friday’s game at Houston.