Pelicans Scoop

Six-Year NBA Veteran Posts One-Word Message After Being Waived

The New Orleans Pelicans made a roster move on Wednesday.

Joey Linn

New Orleans Pelicans guard Jaylen Nowell (20) shoots a basket against Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan (23) during the second half at Smoothie King Center.
New Orleans Pelicans guard Jaylen Nowell (20) shoots a basket against Portland Trail Blazers center Donovan Clingan (23) during the second half at Smoothie King Center. / Stephen Lew-Imagn Images
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The New Orleans Pelicans announced on Wednesday that the team had signed former 10th overall pick Elfrid Payton to an undisclosed contract. This move comes after the Pelicans have been hit by several injuries to their top rotation players.

“The New Orleans Pelicans announced today that the team has signed guard Elfrid Payton,” the Pelicans officially announced. “… Payton, 6-4, 202, has appeared in 500 NBA games (395 starts) across eight seasons with Orlando, Phoenix, New Orleans and New York. Selected 10th overall in the 2014 NBA Draft, Payton holds career averages of 10.1 points, 5.7 assists and 4.0 rebounds in 26.8 minutes per contest.”

The Pelicans added that recently signed guard Jaylen Nowell had been waived to create room for Payton.

“In a corresponding move, New Orleans has waived Jaylen Nowell,” the team added. “Nowell appeared in eight games with the Pelicans this season, averaging 8.4 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 21.0 minutes per contest.”

Nowell seemingly reacted to this news with a one-word message on his Instagram story:

"lol," the six-year NBA veteran wrote.

Nowell was signed by New Orleans at the beginning of this month after being waived by the Washington Wizards. Drafted 43rd overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2019, Nowell has made 205 NBA appearances across six seasons, owning career averages of 8.4 points, 2.5 rebounds, and 2.3 assists.

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Joey Linn
JOEY LINN

Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined Sports Illustrated's FanNation to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams during his time in school. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts, combined with his excellence in the classroom, earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time across multiple platforms, primarily serving as a credentialed Clippers beat writer.

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