Pelicans Sign Former Lottery Pick Elfrid Payton After 2-Year Absence From NBA

The New Orleans Pelicans have made an unexpected addition to their roster ahead of camp, bringing back point guard Elfrid Payton to a training camp deal.

Elfrid Payton has agreed to a training camp deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, sources tell ESPN.

Payton, an Ehret graduate and Gretna native, last played in the NBA in 2022. The 30-year-old played one season with the Pelicans in 2018-19.

Payton is represented by @_tandemse.
— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) September 19, 2024

Payton last played in the NBA in 2021-22, but only averaged 11 minutes a night in 50 games with the Phoenix Suns, posting just 3.0 points per contest. The year before, he posted an average of 10 points with 3.4 rebounds and 3.2 assists with the New York Knicks, in 63 games, all as a starter.

He spent two years with the Knicks, and before that had his first stint with the Pelicans. He started 42 games for them in the 2018-19 season, playing just about 30 minutes a night, and averaged 10.6 points and 7.6 assists.

He spent last season in the G League with the Indiana Pacers affiliate, having a fine season, averaging 10.8 points and 8.2 assists.

Payton was selected with the No. 10 pick in the 2014 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers, and was traded to the Orlando Magic, where he spent his first four years in the league.

Overall, the 30-year-old has averaged 10.1 points with 5.7 assists and 4.0 rebounds, in exactly 500 NBA games over eight years.