Elfrid Payton: 1 year, $2.7 million (New Orleans Pelicans)
Payton will sign a one-year deal with Pelicans, a return to his hometown. https://t.co/2UWOKSCLBK
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) July 2, 2018
It's $2.7M, per sources https://t.co/rPFepO5P8M
— Zach Lowe (@ZachLowe_NBA) July 2, 2018
The New Orleans Pelicans won’t be the first team to try and talk themselves into Elfrid Payton, and they probably won’t be the last. While it’s a nice story for the Louisiana native to return home to NOLA, Payton can’t shoot and is nowhere near as good defensively as he was billed to be.
Even if it’s only on a one-year deal, the Pelicans had more pressing needs than this. Instead, they got tricked into a buy-low candidate who is that low in the bargain bin for a reason.
The good news is The New York Times‘ Marc Stein reports the team intends to keep Rajon Rondo too, so perhaps he can be a mentor for the 24-year-old floor general who has yet to find his way in this league. With that length, floor vision and defensive potential, Payton has the tools to be decent. Here’s hoping the Big Easy is the place he puts it all together, especially after finally getting rid of the shag carpeting that was on his head.
Bourguet Grade: C
Hoops Habit Grade: B