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.
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.
Payton finished Friday's 153-104 loss to Miami with four points (2-8 FG), 10 rebounds and 13 assists in 29 minutes.
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 the regular-season finale against Oklahoma City.
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Pelicans' Elfrid Payton: Agrees to standard contract
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Payton agreed to a standard contract with the Pelicans on Friday.
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.
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Pelicans' Elfrid Payton: Starting sans Alvarado
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Payton will start in Thursday's game against Milwaukee.
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).
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Pelicans' Elfrid Payton: Returning to bench
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Payton isn't in the starting five for Tuesday's game versus the Nets.
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.
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Pelicans' Elfrid Payton: Starting sans Alvarado
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Payton will start in Sunday's game against the Bucks.
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.
The Pelicans signed Payton to a second 10-day contract Monday, Michael Scotto of USA Today reports.
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) and/or Jordan Hawkins (back) remain sidelined.
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Pelicans' Elfrid Payton: Hands out 14 assists
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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.
The Pelicans were resting several key players Monday, including CJ McCollum. High assist totals are nothing new for Payton, as he recorded 21 assists back on Nov. 25 of 2024. Payton could earn himself another 10-day contract after this eruption.
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Pelicans' Elfrid Payton: Signs 10-day deal with New Orleans
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Payton and the Pelicans agreed to a 10-day contract Friday, Michael Scotto of USA Today reports.
This will be Payton's second stint with the Pelicans this season. During his first seven games with the franchise, Payton had some success, averaging 6.7 points, 6.9 assists, 3.4 rebounds, 1.4 steals and 2.9 turnovers.
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Elfrid Payton: Contract expires
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Payton became a free agent Friday after his second 10-day contract with the Hornets expired, Keith Smith of Spotrac.com reports.
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.
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Hornets' Elfrid Payton: Returning to bench role Saturday
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Payton is not in the starting lineup for Saturday's game against the Trail Blazers.
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.
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Hornets' Elfrid Payton: Blanked in Thursday's start
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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.
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 have 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.
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Hornets' Elfrid Payton: Starting sans Ball
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Payton is in the starting lineup for Thursday's game against the Nuggets.
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 those instances.
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Hornets' Elfrid Payton: Slides to bench Wednesday
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Payton is not in the starting lineup in Wednesday's game against the Lakers, Daniel Starkand of LakersNation.com reports.
With LaMelo Ball (ankle) back in Charlotte's starting lineup Wednesday, Payton will slide into the second unit. The veteran guard has 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.
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Hornets' Elfrid Payton: Gets another 10-day deal
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Payton agreed to a second 10-day contract with the Hornets on Tuesday, Michael Scotto of USA Today reports.
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. His playing time will likely take a major hit if LaMelo Ball (ankle) is available to play coming out of the All-Star break.
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Hornets' Elfrid Payton: Starting against Magic
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Payton is in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against Magic.
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.
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Hornets' Elfrid Payton: Inks 10-day deal
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Payton signed a 10-day contract with the Hornets on Friday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
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 Vasilije Micic now in Phoenix, Payton will certainly have an opportunity to impress over the next two weeks.
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Elfrid Payton: Sits with illness
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Payton didn't play Tuesday against the G League Long Island Nets due to illness.
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.
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Elfrid Payton: Waived by New Orleans
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The Pelicans waived Payton on Tuesday, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.
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.
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Pelicans' Elfrid Payton: Hands out seven assists
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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.
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.
