The New Orleans Pelicans players released several players on Wednesday, most notably 2014 No. 10 pick Elfrid Payton (h/t Spotrac’s Keith Smith).
Today’s NBA waivers:
James Akinjo – MIL
Robert Baker II – ORL
Charles Bediako – DEN
James Bouknight – POR
Keion Brooks Jr. – NOP
Tosan Evbuomwan – DET
Andrew Funk – DEN
Jarkel Joiner – ATL
K.J. Jones II – BKN
Justin Lewis – UTA
Jalen McDaniels – SAS
Trhae Mitchell – NOP
Josh…— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) October 16, 2024
Trhae Mitchell, Keion Brooks Jr. and Josh Oduro were also among the team’s cuts. Brooks and Oduro both went undrafted this summer after noted 2023-24 campaigns.
Pelicans Point Guard Elfrid Payton Among Recently Waived Players
Payton averaged 3.0 points, 5.0 assists, and 1.0 block in 10.3 minutes per game this preseason. In 500 career games (regular season only), he’s averaged 10.1 points, 5.7 assists, and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 44.7 percent from the field and 28.7 percent from three. A two-way playmaker, the biggest concern about his skillset is his proficiency beyond the arc, especially in the modern era.
That being said, point guards like Josh Giddey (Chicago Bulls) and Dyson Daniels (Atlanta Hawks) have demonstrated their ability to be key contributors without a reliable outside jumper. It’s unclear whether Payton was waived because he’s more of a traditional point guard than trendy one. Nonetheless, with Pelicans associate head coach James Borrego’s emphasis on the three-ball, it seems likely.
Payton’s future is now unclear, as there are several teams with an open roster spot.
Removing players on Exhibit 9/10 contracts, these are the open roster spots around the NBA:
ATL – None
BOS – 1 standard
BKN – 1 two-way
CHA – 1 standard, 1 two-way
CHI – 1 two-way
CLE – 1 standard
DAL – 1 standard
DEN – None
DET – 1 standard, 1 two-way
GSW – 1 standard*
HOU – 1…— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) October 16, 2024
In a best-case scenario, he would eventually sign with a team like the Dallas Mavericks or Sacramento Kings.
Mavs guards Luka Doncic and Dante Exum are naturally inclined to spray the ball around; it’s in their DNA. However, Exum is the team’s only pass-first player. Unfortunately for Dallas, he’ll be sidelined for three months with a wrist injury.
The Kings are in a similar predicament. De’Aaron Fox’s assumed backup —2024 No. 13 pick Devin Carter —has been rehabbing a shoulder injury for months. Fortunately for Payton, the Kings are one of the few teams with multiple stretch-centers, which makes his addition more feasible.
James Bouknight Headed To G League?
Payton wasn’t the only former lottery pick who was axed on Wednesday. The Portland Trail Blazers waived James Bouknight the same week that they signed him, indicating that he’ll likely spend his season in the G League. Bouknight, the 2021 No. 11 pick, has played just 11.4 minutes per game in his NBA career.
