Elfrid Payton News, Rumors, Updates - New Orleans Pelicans

Team option declined The Pelicans declined their $3.15 million team option in Payton's contract Sunday, Michael Scotto of USA Today reports.

Impact Payton signed a one-year deal with New Orleans in November but was waived in December. He later returned to the team on two 10-day contracts in March and April 2025 before signing another one-year deal that included a team option for a second season. However, the veteran point guard is now expected to explore other opportunities in free agency this offseason. He averaged 3.5 points, 6.9 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.0 steals across 24 regular-season appearances (nine starts) between New Orleans and Charlotte last season.

JUNE 29, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Shooting woes in finale Payton totaled three points (1-5 FG, 1-1 3Pt), three assists, two rebounds and one block across 18 minutes during Sunday's 115-100 loss to the Thunder.

Impact Payton struggled from the field during his limited run in the regular-season finale. The veteran guard is slated to return to the Pelicans next season after signing a two-year contract in April, and he finished the 2024-25 campaign with averages of 3.5 points, 6.9 assists, 3.3 rebounds, 1.0 steals and 0.5 blocks across 21.3 minutes per game in 24 regular-season appearances between New Orleans and Charlotte. Payton also appeared in 14 G League games with the Birmingham Squadron, averaging 7.6 points, 4.6 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 1.1 steals across 22.4 minutes per contest in that span.

APRIL 14, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Posts season-high 10 rebounds Payton finished Friday's 153-104 loss to Miami with four points (2-8 FG), 10 rebounds and 13 assists in 29 minutes.

Impact Payton's season-high 10 rebounds helped him post a rare double-double without scoring at least 10 points in Friday's blowout loss. Due to New Orleans suffering from a long list of injuries, the veteran guard should continue to be heavily featured in New Orleans' backcourt rotation in their regular-season finale against Oklahoma City.

APRIL 12, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Adebayo has 23 points and 12 rebounds as the Heat pound the Pelicans 153-104.

Bam Adebayo had 23 points and 12 rebounds and the Miami Heat defeated reeling and injury-depleted New Orleans 153-104 in what became the Pelicans’ most lopsided regular season loss...

APRIL 12, 2025 • Associated Press

Pelicans sign Elfrid Payton to standard NBA contract Michael Scotto: The New Orleans Pelicans have signed guard Elfrid Payton to a standard NBA contract. Payton has had 10 or more assists in ea...

APRIL 11, 2025 • HOOPSHYPE.COM

Signs standard contract Payton agreed to a standard contract with the Pelicans on Friday.

Impact Payton had previously signed a pair of 10-day contracts but now lands a standard deal to stay with the team for the remainder of the season. The Pelicans have been ravaged by injuries, and the veteran journeyman has filled in as needed, making this a sensible move for both sides. In his previous eight appearances, Payton averaged 3.1 points, 10.1 assists and 3.8 rebounds in 23.3 minutes per game.

APRIL 11, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Starting sans Alvarado Payton will start in Thursday's game against Milwaukee.

Impact The veteran point guard will receive the starting nod due to Jose Alvarado (calf) being sidelined. Payton has averaged 2.6 points, 8.4 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 22.2 minutes per game over his last five outings (one start).

APRIL 10, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Trendon Watford scores 22 and the Nets beat the Pelicans 119-114 to snap a 5-game home skid

Trendon Watford scored 22 points, Drew Timme had 16 points and nine rebounds off the bench and the Brooklyn Nets beat the New Orleans Pelicans 119-114 on Tuesday night to snap a fi...

APRIL 9, 2025 • Associated Press

Returning to bench Payton isn't in the starting five for Tuesday's game versus the Nets.

Impact Jose Alvarado will reclaim his starting spot from Payton against Brooklyn after missing New Orleans' previous contest due to a calf injury. Payton has averaged 2.2 points, 5.7 assists and 2.5 rebounds in 19.5 minutes across his previous 10 appearances coming off the bench.

APRIL 8, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Gary Trent Jr.'s 29 points and Brook Lopez's double-double help the Bucks top the Pelicans 111-107

Gary Trent Jr. scored a season-high 29 points, and the Milwaukee Bucks improved their hold on fifth place in the Eastern Conference by defeating the New Orleans Pelicans 111-107

APRIL 7, 2025 • Associated Press

Starting sans Alvarado Payton will start in Sunday's game against the Bucks.

Impact The veteran point guard will return to the starting five due to Jose Alvarado (calf) being sidelined. Payton has averaged 4.0 points, 9.2 assists and 3.6 rebounds across 21.8 minutes per game in his last five outings.

APRIL 7, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Signs 10-day contract Monday The Pelicans signed Payton to a 10-day contract Monday, Michael Scotto of USA Today reports.

Impact Payton will join the club for a second 10-day pact in March. The veteran point guard made four appearances during his first 10-day deal, averaging 3.0 points, 7.8 assists and 3.5 rebounds across 20.0 minutes per contest. Payton will provide extra depth in the New Orleans backcourt, though he'll likely receive an uptick in playing time if CJ McCollum (foot), Brandon Boston (ankle) or Jordan Hawkins (back) remain sidelined.

MARCH 31, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Curry scores 23 in his return from injury and the Warriors top the Pelicans 111-95

Stephen Curry scored 23 points in his return from a two-game absence and the Golden State Warriors beat the New Orleans Pelicans 111-95

MARCH 29, 2025 • Associated Press

Hands out 14 assists Payton ended Monday's 112-99 victory over the 76ers with six points (3-8 FG), six rebounds, 14 assists, two blocks and one steal over 25 minutes.

Impact The Pelicans were resting several key players Monday, including C.J. McCollum. High assist totals are nothing new for Payton, as he recorded 21 assists back on Nov. 25 of 2024. Payton will likely earn himself another 10-day contract after this eruption.

MARCH 25, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Elfrid Payton | Pelicans-76ers Postgame Interview 3/24/25

MARCH 25, 2025 • YOUTUBE

Elfrid Payton on Tonight's Return @timberwolves | New Orleans Pelicans

MARCH 21, 2025 • YOUTUBE

Signs 10-day deal with New Orleans Payton and the Pelicans agreed to a 10-day contract Friday, Michael Scotto of USA Today reports.

Impact This will be Payton's second stint with the Pelicans this season. During his first seven games with the franchise, Payton had some success with 6.7 points, 6.9 assists, 3.4 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 2.9 turnovers.

MARCH 21, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Contract expires Payton became a free agent Friday after his second 10-day contract with the Hornets expired, Keith Smith of Spotrac.com reports.

Impact Charlotte will have the option of signing Payton to a rest-of-season contract, but with the Hornets having prioritized rookies KJ Simpson and Damion Baugh as reserve options at point guard over the past two games, it's unclear if the team is interested in retaining the 31-year-old veteran. Over the course of his pair of 10-day deals, Payton made six appearances and averaged 1.0 points, 3.3 assists and 2.2 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 20.3 minutes per game while shooting just 14.3 percent from the field.

FEBRUARY 28, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Returning to bench role Saturday Payton is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Trail Blazers.

Impact LaMelo Ball (ankle) is back in the starting unit, so Payton will return to his regular second-unit role. He's made four appearances (two starts) for the Hornets this season, averaging 1.0 points, 2.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game. He shouldn't have a lot of fantasy upside off the bench.

FEBRUARY 23, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Blanked in Thursday's start Payton finished Thursday's 129-115 loss to the Nuggets with zero points (0-3 FG), two rebounds, three assists and two steals in 16 minutes.

Impact Getting the start in place of LaMelo Ball (ankle), Payton made little impact and wound up seeing half the court time of Damion Baugh, who hit for 14 points and six assists off the bench. Ball might need more time off to manage his ankle issue -- the Hornets another back-to-back set of road games Monday against the Kings and Tuesday at the Warriors -- but Payton hasn't shown he can be a reliable pivot in those scenarios.

FEBRUARY 21, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Starting sans Ball Payton is in the starting lineup for Thursday's game against the Nuggets.

Impact Although Payton came off the bench on Wednesday's win over the Lakers, he'll step back into Charlotte's starting lineup Thursday in the absence of LaMelo Ball (ankle). Payton has made four appearances as a starter this season across time with the Pelicans and Hornets, with the veteran guard averaging 8.3 points, 10.0 assists, 4.8 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 27.8 minutes during these instances.

FEBRUARY 21, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Slides to bench Wednesday Payton is not in the starting lineup in Wednesday's game against the Lakers, Daniel Starkand of LakersNation.com reports.

Impact With LaMelo Ball (ankle) back in Charlotte's starting lineup Wednesday, Payton will slide into the second unit. The veteran guard made five appearances as a reserve in 2024-25 across time with the Hornets and Pelicans, averaging 3.6 points, 3.8 assists, 2.0 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 17.6 minutes during this period.

FEBRUARY 20, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Gets another 10-day deal Payton and the Hornets agreed to a second 10-day contract Tuesday, Michael Scotto of USA Today reports.

Impact After a successful stint with the Pelicans earlier in the season, Payton will get another look with the Hornets. In two appearances with Charlotte so far, Payton has averaged 2.0 points, 5.5 assists, 2.5 rebounds and 1.0 steals in 27.5 minutes.

FEBRUARY 18, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Starting against Magic Payton is in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against Magic.

Impact With LaMelo Ball (ankle) sidelined Wednesday, the Hornets will give Payton a look in the first unit while he plays out a 10-day contract. The veteran guard averaged 11.0 assists, 9.7 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.7 steals in 26.5 minutes across three games as a starter in New Orleans this year, offering him some strong streaming appeal against Orlando.

FEBRUARY 12, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Inks 10-day deal Payton signed a 10-day contract with the Hornets on Friday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

Impact Payton made seven appearances for the Pelicans earlier in the campaign, notably posting a 14-point, 21-assist double-double against the Pacers on Nov. 25, but he's been playing in the G League since. With Tre Mann (back) and Brandon Miller (wrist) out for the season, LaMelo Ball (ankle) struggling to stay on the court and Vasille Micic now in Phoenix, Payton will certainly have an opportunity to impress over the next two weeks.

FEBRUARY 7, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

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Adebayo has 23 points and 12 rebounds as the Heat pound the Pelicans 153-104.

Trendon Watford scores 22 and the Nets beat the Pelicans 119-114 to snap a 5-game home skid

Gary Trent Jr.'s 29 points and Brook Lopez's double-double help the Bucks top the Pelicans 111-107

Curry scores 23 in his return from injury and the Warriors top the Pelicans 111-95