The Pelicans have waived guard Elfrid Payton, a former NBA lottery pick, as well as forward Keion Brooks Jr. and Josh Oduro, and point guard Trhae Mitchell, per a team release.
All four were on Exhibit 10 contracts for training camp and are now likely headed for the Birmingham Squadron of the G League, New Orleans’ affiliate.
Payton, 30, is 6-foot-3 and was selected by the 76ers with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, then was immediately traded to the Magic. He spent the first three-and-a-a-half seasons in Orlando, before being traded to the Suns. He also played for the Pelicans and Knicks, before rejoining the Suns in 2021-22, his most recent NBA season.
Along with all that, Payton spent some time in Puerto Rico and with the Indiana Mad Ants of the G League last season.
All three of the Pelicans’ two-way spots are filled, though that could change during the season — meaning anyone with the Squadron should have a shot should they fare well enough.
An Exhibit 10 contract is a non-guaranteed minimum-salary deal. It doesn’t count toward a team’s cap unless the player makes the final roster. It also can be converted to a two-way deal before the season begins or mean guaranteed money if a player is waived and then stays on the G League club for at least 60 days.
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