Hoops Hype caught up with Elf about the trade - here's some snippits. Bold/Italics are emphasis mine.
http://hoopshype.com/2018/02/14/elfrid-payton-on-being-traded-from-magic-to-suns-phoenixs-young-core-and-his-interest-in-re-signing/When you saw that you were traded for a second-round pick, what was your reaction? Did you feel disrespected at all?
EP: I mean… A little bit. I think a lot of other people were more upset about it than I was, though. Others took it to heart more than I did, but that’s just because of the type of person I am. I’m pretty nonchalant and I don’t really get worked up, so it wasn’t really that big of a deal to me. I’ve always felt underrated and felt like I have to prove myself. I’m the kind of player who feels like you have to prove yourself every single night – no matter what you’ve done or who you are – because in this league everyone is thinking, “What have you done for me lately?” So it wasn’t too big of a deal to me.
(Long pause) It was kind of crazy, though. I’ve seen a lot of people say that it was a steal for Phoenix and stuff like that; I guess time will tell. I heard they were offered a lot more than a second-round pick [from other teams], but they just didn’t decide to do one of those other trades… I don’t know all of the details, but I know they had offers from a team in the East and a different West Coast team other than Phoenix.
WTF? Man, I hope we can somehow find out what these other offers were. Could be very telling of the type of guys we handed the keys over to.
Interesting. So how much did you know or hear as everything was unfolding that afternoon?
EP: Honestly, I wasn’t super involved. My agents were the ones who were hearing different things and they were trying to keep me updated throughout the day. About 30 to 45 minutes before the trade actually went down, my agent told me, “It seems like the talks are over and it looks like you’ll be staying in Orlando, at least until the end of the season.” They had heard from John [Hammond] or Jeff [Weltman] – I don’t know which one exactly, I’m not sure. But they were basically saying the talks were done and a trade was unlikely. Then, maybe seven or eight minutes before the deadline, the deal happened.
Kinda makes it seem like it was a panic move and something done just to make a move happen.
What was your initial reaction when you found out you were traded? That has to be tough, especially when you’re told that you probably aren’t getting dealt and then it happens anyway.
EP: Yeah, it was tough. I was just like, “Dang, this is crazy.” I was definitely a little bit shocked. But then when they told me I was going to Phoenix, I started getting excited about the opportunity.
You were close with a lot of your teammates in Orlando. How did other Magic players react when they heard about the trade?
EP: Man, a lot of guys were upset. The timing of this wasn’t the best, for a lot of reasons. A lot of the guys let me know that they were disappointed, but they were very encouraging. I think every single player on the team texted or called me to offer me encouragement or say that it was a pleasure playing with me, so that meant a lot. They were torn because they were upset about the trade, but happy for me because they knew that this was a good opportunity for my career. I also got texts and calls from a lot of people who worked within the organization, like members of the training staff and other employees. They wanted to wish me well too. I really appreciated all of the support.
Would be interested to know what all they are - other than it being midway through the season, ofc.
In your first two games with the Suns, you’ve averaged 24 points, 7 assists and 7 rebounds while shooting 61.3 percent from the field and 50 percent from three. Did you want to send a message that the Magic made the wrong move by trading you, or are those numbers just a result of you fitting better with Phoenix’s system and players?
EP: I think it’s a combination of those things (laughs). I’ve always tried to play with a chip on my shoulder and this trade just added a little more fuel to my fire. But a lot of it does have to do with this system, my new teammates and the fact that the coaches are putting the ball in my hands and asking me to make something happen.
A little jab at Vogel?
You’re only 23 years old. Sometimes a change of scenery and some patience is all a player needs to break out. I mean, we’re seeing that with your friend and former teammate Victor Oladipo in Indiana. How much room for improvement do you still have and what is your ceiling?
EP: I feel like I still have a very high ceiling. Obviously, my shooting has gotten better this year, but I still feel like I can become a way better shooter. And there are still so many different things that I’m learning about the game and so many areas where I know I can improve. For example, I’m finding little tricks to get to the free-throw line more and get my team in the bonus. I’m also working hard to improve on the defensive end. I feel like my ceiling is still pretty high and I have a lot of room for growth.
