Elfrid Payton News, Rumors, Updates - New Orleans Pelicans

Sits with illness Payton didn't play Tuesday against the G League Long Island Nets due to illness.

Impact Payton hasn't found much success since joining the Squadron, and an absence certainly won't help him settle in. The 30-year-old will be considered day-to-day given the nature of his ailment.

JANUARY 10, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Waived by New Orleans The Pelicans waived Payton on Tuesday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

Impact With the Pelicans shorthanded in mid-November, Payton signed a deal with New Orleans and was immediately thrust into a major role. Over his first four appearances (three starts), Payton averaged 9.8 points, 9.3 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 2.0 steals in 26.5 minutes, including a 14-point, 21-assist performance against the Pacers on Nov. 22. However, the Pelicans have gotten a few backcourt pieces back recently and let go of Payton for monetary reasons. If he doesn't get another NBA opportunity, Payton will likely settle for a role in the G League, which is where he was playing before signing with the Pelicans.

DECEMBER 3, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Hands out seven assists Payton produced six points (3-6 FG), one rebound, seven assists, two blocks and one steal across 17 minutes during Sunday's 118-85 loss to the Knicks.

Impact Despite a limited workload, Payton made the most of his minutes and showcased his impressive playmaking ability. That workload makes him tough to trust in fantasy formats, however, and minutes won't be easy to come by when Dejounte Murray and CJ McCollum are both healthy.

DECEMBER 2, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Homewrecker: Young sets career-high with 22 assists, Hawks hand Cavaliers first loss in Cleveland

The NBA’s leader in assists handed Cleveland a rare loss

NOVEMBER 28, 2024 • Associated Press

Not starting Wednesday Payton is not starting in Wednesday's game against the Raptors, Will Guillory of The Athletic reports.

Impact Payton dished out a career-high 21 assists in Monday's loss to the Pacers, but he'll head to the bench with Dejounte Murray (hand) ready to return. As a result, Payton's numbers are likely to regress considerably compared to the three-game stretch in which he started between Nov. 20 and Nov. 25.

NOVEMBER 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Elfrid Payton delivers career-best performance in loss to Pacers | NBA.com The veteran guard notched a career-best 21 assists in the Pelicans' loss to the Pacers on Monday.

NOVEMBER 26, 2024 • NBA.COM

Elfrid Payton dishes out 21 assists in third game after over 900 days off Scott Agness: Back-to-back Pacers wins for the 2nd time. They held off the Pelicans 114-110. Murphy/McCollum combined for 47pts, Elfrid Payt...

NOVEMBER 26, 2024 • HOOPSHYPE.COM

Elfrid Payton dishes out 21 assists in second game after over 900 days off Scott Agness: Back-to-back Pacers wins for the 2nd time. They held off the Pelicans 114-110. Murphy/McCollum combined for 47pts, Elfrid Payt...

NOVEMBER 26, 2024 • HOOPSHYPE.COM

Elfrid Payton on his 21 assists | Pelicans-Pacers Postgame 11/25/2024

NOVEMBER 26, 2024 • YOUTUBE

Sets new career-high 21 assists Payton produced 14 points (7-11 FG), 21 assists, seven rebounds and two steals across 31 minutes during Monday's 114-110 loss to the Pacers.

Impact Payton dished out a new NBA season high in assists while easily surpassing his previous career high of 16 dimes from March of 2019. The 30-year-old signed with the Pelicans last Wednesday after not having played in the league since May of 2022, and he has been impressive thus far. Through three starts in a depleted Pelicans backcourt, Payton has averaged 9.7 points, 11.0 assists, 5.0 rebounds and 1.7 steals across 26.3 minutes per game.

NOVEMBER 26, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Elfrid Payton Highlights with 21 assists vs. Indiana Pacers 11/25/2024

NOVEMBER 26, 2024 • YOUTUBE

Haliburton scores 34 and delivers key plays in the clutch to send Pacers past Pelicans 114-110

Tyrese Haliburton finished with 34 points and 13 assists and made a season best nine 3-pointers, leading the Indiana Pacers past the short-handed New Orleans Pelicans 114-100

NOVEMBER 26, 2024 • Associated Press

Elfrid Payton | Pelicans-Cavaliers Postgame Interview 11/20/2024

NOVEMBER 21, 2024 • YOUTUBE

Reaches double figures in start Payton posted 11 points (5-8 FG, 0-1 3Pt, 1-2 FT), five rebounds and eight assists over 22 minutes during Wednesday's 128-100 loss to the Cavaliers.

Impact Payton got the starting nod Wednesday after being signed by New Orleans earlier in the day, going on to hand out a team-high assist total while concluding as one of four Pelicans in double figures in scoring. Payton, who has floating between the G League and the NBA, received a starting nod for the first time since March of 2022.

NOVEMBER 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Ty Jerome scores career-high 29 points, Cavaliers rout injury-riddled Pelicans 128-100

Ty Jerome scored 27 points in the first half and finished with a career-high 29 as the Cleveland Cavaliers never trailed in a 128-100 win over the New Orleans Pelicans

NOVEMBER 21, 2024 • Associated Press

Thrust into starting role Payton will start Wednesday versus Cleveland, Andrew Lopez of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Marking a rapid return to NBA relevance, Payton will start in his first contest after being signed by the Pelicans on Wednesday. Payton has been a quality G League floor general across the last two seasons, while his most recent NBA start came in March of 2022.

NOVEMBER 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Gets spot on roster Payton agreed to a one-year contract with the Pelicans on Wednesday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

Impact Payton attended training camp with the Pelicans but missed out on a spot on the season-opening 15-man roster when he was cut Oct. 16. The Pelicans retained Payton's G League rights, but he never took part in any games with the Birmingham Squadron before New Orleans ultimately elected to add him to the roster. The Pelicans will waive guard Jaylen Nowell to make room for Payton, who will provide New Orleans with a more traditional backup option at point guard while both Dejounte Murray (hand) and Jose Alvarado (hamstring) are sidelined. The No. 10 overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, Payton was a teammate of current Pelicans head coach Willie Green in Orlando to begin his career and previously appeared in 42 games with the Pelicans in the 2018-19 season. Payton's most recent NBA action came back in 2020-21, when he averaged 11.0 minutes in 50 appearances for Phoenix.

NOVEMBER 20, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Waived by New Orleans Payton was waived by the Pelicans on Wednesday.

Impact Payton was signed to an Exhibit 10 contract on Oct. 11, so he could end up with the Birmingham Squadron in the G League.

OCTOBER 16, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Rejoins New Orleans The Pelicans signed Payton to a contract Friday.

Impact Despite being left off the team's training camp roster, Payton has signed another contract with the Pelicans. It's unclear if he will make the regular-season roster in New Orleans.

OCTOBER 11, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Absent from training camp roster Payton isn't listed on the Pelicans' training camp roster for 2024-25.

Impact Payton made his last NBA appearance in 2021-22 for the Suns. He will likely spend the 2024-25 campaign in the G League.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Signs training camp deal Payton has signed a training camp deal with the Pelicans on Thursday, Andrew Lopez of ESPN.com reports.

Impact Payton is not expected to make the Pelicans roster, though he'll add depth at the point guard position. If he doesn't make the roster, don't rule out Payton from being an option in the G League.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Let go by Indiana The Pacers waived Payton on Saturday.

Impact Payton was waived by Indiana after being signed by the team Friday. The 29-year-old guard will likely spend the 2023-24 season with the Pacers' G League affiliate, the Indiana Mad Ants.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Joining Indiana The Pacers signed Payton on Friday.

Impact Payton spent last season with the Pacers' G League affiliate, the Fort Wayne Mad Ants. He last saw NBA action in 2021-22, when he averaged 3.0 points, 2.0 assists and 1.8 rebounds in 11.0 minutes across 50 appearances for the Suns. If he makes Indiana's regular-season roster, he will likely compete for a depth role in the backcourt.

SEPTEMBER 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Phoenix Suns 'Fun Facts': Meet Elfrid Payton, playful dad, movie buff Our 'Fun Facts' series with Phoenix Suns players continues with Elfrid Payton, who enjoys spending time with his two-year-old daughter, Park...

APRIL 24, 2022 • AZCENTRAL.COM

Back to bench Wednesday Payton will come off the bench for Wednesday's game against the Timberwolves.

Impact With Cameron Payne returning to the starting lineup after a one-game absence, Payton will shift back to a bench role. He's averaging 3.0 points, 2.0 assists and 1.8 rebounds in 11.2 minutes per game this season.

MARCH 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

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Homewrecker: Young sets career-high with 22 assists, Hawks hand Cavaliers first loss in Cleveland

Haliburton scores 34 and delivers key plays in the clutch to send Pacers past Pelicans 114-110

Ty Jerome scores career-high 29 points, Cavaliers rout injury-riddled Pelicans 128-100