New Orleans Pelicans Sign Former NBA 10th Overall Pick

The Pelicans have signed Elfrid Payton.

Jun 26, 2014; Brooklyn, NY, USA; Elfrid Payton (Louisiana-Lafayette) gestures as he walks off the stage after being selected as the number ten overall pick to the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2014 NBA Draft at the Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images / Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Elfrid Payton most recently played in the NBA during the 2021-22 season when he appeared in 50 games for the Phoenix Suns.

That year, he averaged 3.0 points, 1.8 rebounds and 2.0 assists per contest while shooting 38.3% from the field and 22.2% from the three-point range.

On Friday, the New Orleans Pelicans announced that they have officially signed Payton.

Via Pelicans.com: "The New Orleans Pelicans announced today that the team has signed Josh Oduro and Elfrid Payton. Per team policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed."

Pelicans sign Josh Oduro and Elfrid Paytonhttps://t.co/xUZ2a5zEPz

— New Orleans Pelicans (@PelicansNBA) October 11, 2024

Payton spent last season playing in the G League and put up good numbers.

He averaged 11.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 9.0 assists and 1.5 steals per contest while shooting 45.0% from the field in 19 regular season games.

Elfrid Payton distributed the ball at an ELITE level last season! 😤

The @TheMadAnts standout averaged 9.8 AST per game, recording 9 10+ AST performances as well as 4 triple-doubles. #NBAAssistWeek pic.twitter.com/slOaCSVbLc

— NBA G League (@nbagleague) August 17, 2024

Payton will more than likely begin this season with the Birmingham Squadron (the G League affiliate of the Pelicans).

Andrew Lopez reported (on September 19) that the deal was for training camp.

Via Lopez on September 19: "Elfrid Payton has agreed to a training camp deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, sources tell ESPN.

Payton, an Ehret graduate and Gretna native, last played in the NBA in 2022. The 30-year-old played one season with the Pelicans in 2018-19.

Payton is represented by @_tandemse."

Elfrid Payton has agreed to a training camp deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, sources tell ESPN.

Payton, an Ehret graduate and Gretna native, last played in the NBA in 2022. The 30-year-old played one season with the Pelicans in 2018-19.

Payton is represented by @_tandemse.

— Andrew Lopez (@_Andrew_Lopez) September 19, 2024

The Pelicans will play their first game of the regular season on October 23 when they host Josh Giddey and the Chicago Bulls in New Orleans.

Payton has played eight seasons in the NBA with the Magic, Knicks, Pelicans and Suns.

He was the tenth pick in the 2014 NBA Draft.