With two points guards on two-way contracts in KJ Simpson and Isaiah Wong, the Charlotte Hornets aren’t necessarily devoid of depth at the position. However, due to their youth and limitations, the Hornets can’t faulted for fortifying the depth behind LaMelo Ball. Least of all because Ball remains out with an ankle injury, Tre Mann is out for the season with a back injury, and Vasilije Micic was just traded to the Phoenix Suns as part of their package for controversial center Jusuf Nurkic.
Hornets Address Position Of Need With Elfrid Payton Contract
ESPN senior insider Shams Charania reports that the Hornets have signed Elfrid Payton to a 10-day contract. Payton played in a handful of games for the New Orleans Pelicans this season. However, he was waived once Dejounte Murray returned from his early season hand fracture. In that stretch, the floor general averaged 6.7 points, 6.9 assists, and 1.4 steals per game, shooting 50.0 percent from the floor.
The Charlotte Hornets are signing guard Elfrid Payton to a 10-day contract, agent Darrell Comer of Tandem told ESPN. Payton returns to the NBA after strong performances for the Pelicans earlier this season, including a 14-point, 21-assist game on Nov. 25. pic.twitter.com/RRIdAIBiDr
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 7, 2025
His most impressive game was a 14-point, 21-assist outing against the Indiana Pacers. At the time, it was the highest single-game assist total for any player in 2024-25. The Pelicans waived him a week later. Unfortunately for New Orleans, Murray was eventually ruled out for the season with a different injury. Now, they once again no longer have enough point guard depth.
That should provide a cautionary tale for Charlotte, as Ball has missed 123 games (and counting) over the past three seasons.
A Fair Chance
Payton’s 10-day contract will carry him to All-Star Weekend. If he plays well during that time, he should be offered another 10-day contract after All-Star Break. If he makes it through that subsequent 10-day probationary period playing well in games or in practice, it wouldn’t hurt to sign him for the remainder of the season.
Frankly, when considering Micic’s abilities and mentality as a passer, Payton may have a better chance of mimicking the Serbian icon than either Simpson or Wong. Both Simpson and Wong are capable playmakers but are essentially modernized, score-first guards. Like Micic, Payton is a throwback to the days when point guards would set the table before they eat.
If there’s one reason that Payton won’t work out in Charlotte, it may be his distaste for shooting the 3-ball. This season, he’s taken just one 3-point attempt in seven games. The Hornets average 40.0 3-point attempts per game in 2024-25, fifth in the NBA.
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