New Orleans Pelicans Sign Elfrid Payton Amid Injury Challenges

The New Orleans Pelicans have signed free agent guard Elfrid Payton, according to ESPN, securing his return to the team amidst several player injuries. Payton, who was originally the 10th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, rejoins his hometown team after last playing for them during the 2018-19 season. His agent, Darrell Comer, confirmed the deal with the Pelicans.

The Pelicans have been struggling with a slew of injuries to their backcourt players, including CJ McCollum and Jamal Murray. During this critical period, the team has lost eight of their last nine games, necessitating urgent reinforcements. The injuries also involve Herbert Jones and other key members, putting the team under significant pressure as they approach their Wednesday night game.

Elfrid Payton, a native of Louisiana who played college basketball for the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns, is known for his skills as a play-maker, having averaged 10.1 points, 5.7 assists, and 4.0 rebounds throughout his NBA career. Despite his relatively low shooting percentages of 44.7% from the field and 28.7% from three-point range, his ball-handling abilities are expected to bolster the Pelicans during this rough patch.

To accommodate Payton, the Pelicans waived guard Jaylen Nowell, who averaged 8.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in 21 minutes per game over eight appearances. Nowell was on a non-guaranteed contract, and his departure opens a spot on the 15-man roster, with a modest financial impact on the team’s salary cap.

This strategic move sees Payton return to an NBA roster after spending the previous year in the G League with the Indiana Mad Ants and playing in Puerto Rico in 2023. His connection with current Pelicans coach Willie Green, a former teammate on the Orlando Magic, is also a significant factor in this reunion.

Details regarding the specifics of Payton’s new contract with the Pelicans have not been disclosed, but it is anticipated to be a non-guaranteed deal, similar to that of Nowell. This transaction seems to reflect the team’s hope for the impending return of injured players or an effort to manage payroll effectively to avoid the luxury tax.