Pelicans Point Guard Among Recently Waived Players

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.

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.