Elfrid Payton. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Pelicans bring back former top-10 draft pick

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Steve DelVecchio | Last updated Nov 20, 2024 9:30 AM ET

The New Orleans Pelicans are bringing back a former top-10 NBA Draft pick amid a rash of injuries to key players.

Veteran point guard Elfrid Payton agreed to a deal with the Pelicans on Wednesday, his agent told ESPN’s Shams Charania.

Free agent guard Elfrid Payton has agreed to a deal with the New Orleans Pelicans, his agent Darrell Comer of Tandem told ESPN. Payton attended training camp with the Pelicans and now rejoins the team amid a wave of injuries. pic.twitter.com/REROvFohX2

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 20, 2024

Payton, the No. 10 overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, previously signed a non-guaranteed contract with the Pelicans in training camp but did not make the team. The 30-year-old returns to New Orleans with starting guards Dejounte Murray and CJ McCollum, who are both nursing injuries.

The Pelicans have also been without Zion Williamson, Jose Alvarado, Jordan Hawkins and Herb Jones. They have lost eight of their last nine games entering Wednesday night’s matchup with the 15-1 Cleveland Cavaliers.

Payton played for the Pelicans during the 2018-19 season and produced some of his best career numbers with 10.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 7.6 assists per game. He is a Louisiana native who played his college ball at Louisiana-Lafayette.

The 6-foot-3 Payton last played in the NBA for the Phoenix Suns in 2021-22 but has since played in Puerto Rico and the NBA G League. Though Payton has had some lowlights in his NBA career, he should give the Pelicans some much-needed backcourt depth.

This article first appeared on Larry Brown Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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