Straight up, no, Elfrid Payton is, in no way, related to the Hall of Famer Gary Payton. Unless you count sharing the same last name and position. Hailing from Gretna, a small city located on the west bank of the Mississippi River, just across from New Orleans, Payton Jr. can very well be described as a self-made man. Not even considered an NBA prospect, let alone top, the now-30-year-old might just get his chance to settle down in his home … for good.

No doubt you have heard of the news that the New Orleans Pelicans and Payton have agreed on a training camp deal, as posted by Andrew Lopez of ESPN. This isn’t the first the 6’3 point guard has been part of the Pelicans. When his hometown team signed him to a one-year, $3 million contract, Payton was only too glad for the opportunity.

Not just because he would have New Orleans across his chest, but also because it was the fresh start the 2014 No. 10 overall pick was desperately looking for. Selected by the 76ers, Philly traded him to the Magic on draft night for Dario Saric. As for his NBA debut, it was quite an interesting night in that it was an 84-101 loss to who else but the Pelicans! Payton, though, played an impressive 31 minutes, scoring four points, grabbing five rebounds, dishing out seven assists, and was a +1 for the team.

His rookie season was a promising one. Elfrid played in all 82 games in 2014-15, finishing with a stat line that went like this – 8.9 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 6.5 assists per game while shooting a brilliant 42.5% from the field. Payton’s time with Orlando continued in a similar fashion. Unfortunately, not once in four years did the Magic make the playoffs. Despite being an important part of the Magic’s offense, Elfrid’s defense and three-point shooting hadn’t seen much improvement.

It was under such circumstances that the ex-Louisiana product underwent a challenging period.

Loss of a dear one and the trade from his home of four years had Elfrid Payton dig deep

“The message we have is, ‘Don’t give up,’” Elfrid Payton Sr., shared during a 2019 interview with Marc J. Spears of Andscape. But that was just one part of the Paytons’ blueprint for success. “People set their minds to do things, but you have to have the talent, work hard and make the commitment. You have to be willing to put in the work,” the ’90s Canadian Football League star further added.

Yup, Payton’s dad had the heart, talent, and an unfailing work ethic when it came to his game. And that was exactly why, even when the majority overlooked the diamond in the rough, Payton Sr. caught the immediate attention of the legendary Grambling football coach, Eddie Robinson. And from thereon, the graph always showed an incline. The older Payton, though, attributed his success to just one thing – “being relentless.” 

And it was a lesson that he made sure his son followed to a T. So, when his world turned upside down with the death of his grandfather, Willis Clofer, a cancer patient, followed by the Magic trading him to the Suns, suffice it to say that Elfrid Payton wasn’t at his best. Yet, the 2014 Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year didn’t let it affect his production. At least, not too much.

In 19 games with Phoenix, all starts, Payton averaged 11.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 6.2 assists on 43.5% shooting. However, his three-point game was still lacking, attempting just 1.3 threes and making 0.3 per game. Either way, he didn’t stay too long in the “Valley of the Sun”. But he wasn’t happy with his situation, be it with Orlando – “It was an unfortunate situation. In Orlando, we went through a lot of coaches, but I am not really one to make excuses. S— happens.”

Or Phoenix – “They wrote me off a little bit. I don’t think they gave up on me, but they thought I was just a regular guy. I took it personally.”

Payton’s fresh start began with a one-year stint at New Orleans, coming full circle with yet another chance in a contending team

After the exhausting past year, a fresh perspective and place were absolutely necessary. And the Pelicans provided Elfrid with just that. Although his lone season at New Orleans was dotted with injuries, when the 195-pound guard was healthy, he was a real menace. For example, he tallied six triple-doubles alone in just one season with the team. In his 42 games, again, all starts, he had 10.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 7.6 assists per game, the last two being career-highs. Also, he shot 74.3% from the charity stripe, another career-high.

However, following this, Elfrid Payton kept moving from team to team. First, he spent two years with the Knicks, struggling with injuries early in the season, but when on the floor, an effective playmaker. In 2021, Payton once again went back to Phoenix, spending one season playing 50 games, albeit starting in just one game. It was a largely forgettable season – 3.0 points, 1.8 rebounds, and 2.0 assists, playing just 11 minutes per game. Not his best year, really.

And then it was a mix of G League and overseas game time. In a span of nine months, he went through four teams – Indiana Mad Ants, Osos De Manati (Puerto Rican), Indiana Pacers (only to be waived a day later), Cairns Taipans (NBL) as an emergency replacement player, and finally back again with the Mad Ants.

And now, he’s signed a training camp deal with the Pelicans. If all things go well, Elfrid Payton might just see a regular spot for him once again. And this time, he will be part of an insane, championship-hungry team led by Zion Williamson. There’s no doubt his father will be right beside him through it all, giving him that same tough love that pushed him all the way here.