Story by Ben Stinar
Elfrid Payton most recently played in the NBA during the 2021-22 season when he was a member of the Phoenix Suns.
Last season, the veteran point guard played in the G League for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants (the affiliate of the Indiana Pacers).
He averaged 7.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, 6.0 assists and 1.4 steals per contest while shooting 42.4% from the field and 28.6% from the three-point range in ten regular season games (he also appeared in one G League playoff game).
Payton has been a free agent, and on Friday, the Pacers announced that they had signed him.
Payton was initially the tenth pick in the 2014 NBA Draft by the Orlando Magic.
In addition to the Magic and Suns, he has also played for the New Orleans Pelicans and New York Knicks.
Over eight seasons, the 29-year-old has career averages of 10.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.2 steals per contest while shooting 44.7% from the field and 28.7% from the three-point range in 500 regular season games (he has also appeared in four NBA playoff games).
As for the Pacers, they are coming off a year where they were the 11th seed in the Eastern Conference with a 35-47 record.
Despite a very competitive start to the season, they ended up missing the NBA playoffs for the third straight year.
That said, the Pacers have a talented roster led by All-Star point guard Tyrese Haliburton.
Originally posted on Fast Break on FanNation