Elfrid Payton's Rollercoaster Ride This Season Takes Another Twist

He made a triumphant return to the NBA after 2 1/2 years away, earlier this season, then was shockingly waived by the New Orleans Pelicans despite posting a ridiculous 21-assist performance in his third game with the team. Now Elfrid Payton has got himself a standard NBA contract, on a two-year deal.

Pelicans signed Elfrid Payton to a two-year deal, Senior VP of @CSETalent Darrell Comer told @hoopshype. After being out of the NBA two years, Payton returned to his hometown team, had a career-high 21 assists in November, and has 10 or more assists in six of his last eight games pic.twitter.com/zQGiJnCBNK
— Michael Scotto (@MikeAScotto) April 11, 2025

After he was cast a drift by the Pelicans in December, he signed a pair of 10-day hardship contracts with the Charlotte Hornets in February. Those expired, then the Pelicans came back on board, bringing Payton in last month on two consecutive 10-day deals, also under the hardship exception.

But after two 10-days, teams must put up or shut up, third 10-day contracts are not allowed. Thus it's now a full deal for Payton.

The 31-year-old former lottery pick has 10 or more assists in six of his last eight games, including a 15-spot Thursday night.

Elfrid Payton has signed a 2 year deal to stay in New Orleans!

Congrats @elfrid
pic.twitter.com/My6KK9mt17
— Barstool NOLA (@BarstoolNOLA) April 11, 2025

Payton was the 10th overall pick by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2014 NBA Draft. He broke into the league, however, with the Orlando Magic, where he spent 3 1/2 seasons. He had his first go-round with the Pelicans in the 2018-19 season, when he averaged a career-high 7.6 assists along with 10.6 points per game.

This year, in 16 games back in the Big Easy, he's averaged 8.1 assists to go with 4.5 points and 1.1 steals per game.

Born in nearby Gretna, Louisiana, the hometown hero finally gets the contract he’s been fighting for, and is so well deserved.