Elfrid Payton Dealt Cruel Blow After His Combeback From 2½ Year Absence

Elfrid Payton had been out of the NBA for two full seasons before making a triumphant return last month for his hometown team, the New Orleans Pelicans.

After averaging 26 minutes a night for his first four games, including a sensational 21-assist night just a week-and-a-half ago, he has seen his minutes diminish over the last three games as the slew of injured Pelicans have started returning to the lineup.

Now, his feel-good comeback story has come to a screeching halt—for now—as the Pels have waived Payton.

BREAKING; New Orleans Pelicans have WAIVED newly signed point guard Elfrid Payton.

Payton, 30, dropped 14 PTS, 7 REB, & 21 ASSISTS in his third game with the team.

Who should sign him? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/emzTARq2Qe
— Courtside Buzz (@CourtsideBuzzX) December 3, 2024

Overall, he averaged 6.7 points, 6.9 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 20.6 minutes in his seven games. He holds career marks of 10.0 points, 5.8 assists and 4.0 rebounds in 26.7 minutes per contest.

With starting guards Dejounte Murray and CJ McCollum returning from injuries, and the 4-18 team in the luxury tax, they had no choice but to let Payton go. It's a cruel turn of events after his Cinderella run.

The former No. 10 overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft at least has a better chance of hooking up with another team now after that impressive performance for New Orleans.