3. Elfrid Payton, Phoenix Suns (restricted)
Stats: 12.7 points, 6.2 assists, 4.3 rebounds
Elfrid Payton’s start to his fourth season in the NBA was a good one. In the first 40-some odd games he played with the Orlando Magic last season, he was much improved. Specifically, his shooting. With the Magic, Payton was averaging 13 points per game on 52 percent shooting from the field and 37 percent from 3-point range (a career-high).
However, after being traded to the Phoenix Suns on NBA Trade Deadline day, all his efficiency numbers took a hit. With the Suns, he simply wasn’t the same player in terms of shooting. And that’s probably the biggest reason why he’s going to be a gamble in free agency.
There’s a good chance he re-signs in Phoenix, but don’t be surprised if a young team out there trades a flier on him. Payton is a low-risk, high-reward type of player at this point in his career.