Over two full years since his final NBA look, a former lottery decide is formally again.
Andrew Lopez of ESPN reported Thursday that the New Orleans Pelicans have agreed to a cope with veteran guard Elfrid Payton. Nonetheless solely 30, Payton is getting a non-guaranteed coaching camp deal from New Orleans.
The No. 10 total decide within the 2014 NBA Draft, Payton already performed for the Pelicans within the 2018-19 season (producing a few of his finest profession numbers with 10.6 factors, 5.2 rebounds and seven.6 assists per contest). Payton can be a Louisiana native who performed his school ball at Louisiana-Lafayette, making the reunion particularly becoming.
The 6-foot-3 Payton final performed within the NBA for the Phoenix Suns in 2021-22 however has since performed in Puerto Rico in addition to within the NBA G League. Although Payton has had some lowlights in his NBA career, he’s good stat-stuffer and flooring common who can struggle for the third level guard spot behind Dejounte Murray and Jose Alvarado in New Orleans.