Elfrid Payton Bio
Elfrid Payton Jr. is an American professional basketball player currently with the Austin Spurs of the NBA G League. A point guard listed at 6 ft 3 in and 195 lb, he has spent more than a decade in professional basketball, with stops in the NBA, the NBA G League, the National Basketball League of Australia, and the Baloncesto Superior Nacional in Puerto Rico. Payton first gained national attention as a college defender at Louisiana–Lafayette before becoming a top-ten NBA draft pick in 2014.
Across his career, Payton has been recognized as one of the most prolific triple-double threats at his position, repeatedly producing games with double digits in points, rebounds, and assists. He has been named to the NBA All-Rookie First Team, earned All-NBA G League Third Team honors, and won the Lefty Driesell Award as the nation’s top college defender.
Early Life and Background
Elfrid Payton Jr. was born on February 22, 1994, in Gretna, Louisiana, located in Jefferson Parish across the Mississippi River from New Orleans. He is the son of Elfrid Payton, a former Canadian Football League player whose athletic career gave his son an early window into high-level competition. Growing up in Gretna shaped Payton’s identity, and the region has remained closely tied to his story throughout his career.
Payton attended John Ehret High School in Jefferson Parish, where he played basketball but entered college as an unheralded recruit without major national rankings. His family background and Gulf Coast roots helped him stay grounded through a long developmental path that would later include both international and domestic leagues.
Path to Basketball
Payton committed to Louisiana–Lafayette, choosing to develop with the Ragin’ Cajuns rather than chase a higher-profile program. After a promising freshman season in 2011–12, he emerged as a sophomore in 2012–13, averaging 15.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 2.4 steals per game. That performance earned him first-team All-Sun Belt Conference recognition and put him on the national radar.
During the summer of 2013, Payton was a late addition to the United States squad for the 2013 FIBA Under-19 World Championship in the Czech Republic, where he started all nine games and helped Team USA win the gold medal. As a junior in 2013–14, he raised his averages to 19.2 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.9 assists, and 2.3 steals, leading Louisiana–Lafayette to the 2014 NCAA Tournament. He was again a first-team All-Sun Belt selection, was named Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year, and won the Lefty Driesell Award as national defensive player of the year before declaring for the NBA draft.
Elfrid Payton Career
Early Career
On June 26, 2014, the Philadelphia 76ers selected Payton with the 10th overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft. He was traded to the Orlando Magic on draft night in exchange for Dario Šarić and future draft considerations, and signed his rookie scale contract in July. He made his NBA debut on October 29, 2014, against the New Orleans Pelicans and quickly earned January 2015 Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month honors, along with an invitation to the Rising Stars Challenge.
Payton played in 116 consecutive games to open his career before a left ankle injury briefly interrupted his sophomore season. He returned to action in January 2016 in London against the Toronto Raptors and continued to handle the Magic’s primary point guard duties.
Orlando Magic Breakthrough (2014–2018)
As a rookie in 2014–15, Payton recorded his first career triple-double on March 18, 2015, against the Dallas Mavericks with 15 points, 12 assists, and 10 rebounds. Two days later, he became the first Orlando player to post consecutive triple-doubles and the first NBA rookie to do so since Antoine Walker in 1997, finishing with 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in a win over the Portland Trail Blazers.
In his second NBA season, Payton recorded his third career triple-double on March 23, 2016, with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists against the Detroit Pistons. He then strung together one of the most prolific triple-double stretches of his career during the 2016–17 campaign, posting five triple-doubles in roughly a month, including a 22-point, 14-rebound, 14-assist game against the Chicago Bulls and a 20-point, 11-assist, 11-rebound performance against the Brooklyn Nets.
Payton’s 2017–18 season was shortened by a left hamstring injury that kept him out for eight games, but he returned to score a then career-high 30 points against the Washington Wizards on December 23, 2017. Across four seasons in Orlando, he became the franchise’s engine and a fan favorite, partly because of his distinctive free-flowing hairstyle.
Phoenix Suns and New Orleans Pelicans (2018–2019)
On February 8, 2018, Payton was traded to the Phoenix Suns, where he made an immediate impact with 19 points, nine assists, and six rebounds in his debut against the Denver Nuggets. He recorded two triple-doubles in his first nine games with Phoenix, the fewest games needed by any Suns player to reach that mark.
In July 2018, Payton signed with his hometown New Orleans Pelicans. On opening night against the Houston Rockets, he posted 10 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists, becoming the first player since Kyle Lowry in 2013 to record an exact 10-10-10 triple-double. Between March 10 and March 17, 2019, Payton strung together five consecutive triple-doubles, joining Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan, Oscar Robertson, and Russell Westbrook as the only players to achieve that feat, and tied Chris Paul for the most triple-doubles in a single season in Pelicans history.
New York Knicks (2019–2021)
Payton signed with the New York Knicks in July 2019 and opened the season in the starting lineup before injuries sidelined him for 17 straight games. Upon returning, he provided the playmaking the Knicks had been missing and was reinserted as a starter, recording his 17th career triple-double with 17 points, 11 rebounds, and 15 assists in an overtime win over the Cleveland Cavaliers on February 3, 2020.
He posted a career-high seven steals against the Orlando Magic shortly thereafter. Payton was waived in November 2020 and re-signed a few days later on a reported one-year deal before departing the team after the 2020–21 season.
Return to Phoenix (2021–2022)
On August 10, 2021, Payton returned to the Phoenix Suns, where he provided veteran backcourt depth for the franchise during the 2021–22 season. He appeared in a reserve role behind established lead guards.
Osos de Manatí (2023)
On March 31, 2023, Payton signed with Osos de Manatí of the Puerto Rican Baloncesto Superior Nacional, becoming one of a small number of American guards to feature in that league during the season.
Indiana Mad Ants (2023–2024)
Payton joined the Indiana Mad Ants on October 28, 2023, after a brief preseason appearance with the Cairns Taipans in the NBLxNBA preseason series. He led the NBA G League in assists per game during the 2023–24 season and earned All-NBA G League Third Team honors, helping the Mad Ants reach the 2024 playoffs. His rights were later traded to the Birmingham Squadron.
Birmingham Squadron and New Orleans Pelicans (2024–2025)
After signing and being waived by the New Orleans Pelicans in October 2024, Payton joined the Birmingham Squadron and then rejoined the Pelicans on November 20, 2024, immediately stepping into the starting lineup against the Cleveland Cavaliers with 11 points, five rebounds, and eight assists. He set a career high with 21 assists against the Indiana Pacers on November 25, 2024, before being waived and rejoining the Squadron.
Charlotte Hornets (2025)
On February 7, 2025, Payton signed a 10-day contract with the Charlotte Hornets, followed by a second 10-day deal on February 18, 2025. Across six games for Charlotte, he averaged 1.0 point, 2.2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists while serving as a veteran reserve.
Austin Spurs Era (2025–Present)
Payton returned to the New Orleans Pelicans on March 21, 2025, on a 10-day contract, signed a second 10-day deal on April 2, and then signed a two-year standard contract on April 11 to help the Pelicans close out the regular season. He has since joined the Austin Spurs of the NBA G League, where he continues to play as a veteran point guard and floor general.
Driving Style and Strengths
Payton has built his career on defensive pressure, vision, and a willingness to push pace. He consistently ranks among active leaders in triple-doubles for guards of his size and uses his length and anticipation to disrupt passing lanes. His comfort operating from a standstill half-court set, combined with his ability to grab-and-go in transition, allows him to fit as both a starter and a stabilizing reserve.
Notable Events and Milestones
Payton’s signature stretch came in March 2019, when five consecutive triple-doubles placed him alongside Wilt Chamberlain, Michael Jordan, Oscar Robertson, and Russell Westbrook in the NBA record book. Earlier, he had become the first Magic rookie since Antoine Walker to post consecutive triple-doubles, and he has since crossed more than 20 career triple-doubles across his NBA and G League seasons.
Elfrid Payton Career Wins
Elfrid Payton Jr.’s win ledger is built around team results and individual record-setting nights rather than a single championship. His most decorated stretch came as a member of the Orlando Magic, where he established himself as the franchise’s primary playmaker and set multiple rookie-era milestones.
Orlando Magic Highlights
Payton’s biggest individual wins came during his four seasons in Orlando, highlighted by the first rookie back-to-back triple-doubles since 1997 and a five-triple-double month during the 2016–17 campaign. He also helped Team USA capture the 2013 FIBA Under-19 World Championship gold medal in the Czech Republic.
Other Wins and Performances
Payton helped lead the Indiana Mad Ants to the 2024 NBA G League playoffs while leading the league in assists per game, earning All-NBA G League Third Team recognition for that performance.
Elfrid Payton Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Payton is the son of Elfrid Payton, a former Canadian Football League player whose professional sports career gave his son early exposure to high-level athletic environments. That family connection to professional football helped shape Payton’s competitive approach as he transitioned into basketball.
Personal Life
Payton became a fan favorite in Orlando for his free-flowing hairstyle, which he maintained through his first four NBA seasons before cutting his hair in May 2018. He has kept most of his personal life private while remaining connected to the Gretna, Louisiana, community where he grew up.
2025 Season Performance
Payton’s 2025 campaign has unfolded across three NBA stops and a G League assignment, beginning with a pair of 10-day contracts with the Charlotte Hornets in February. Across six games with Charlotte, he averaged 1.0 point, 2.2 rebounds, and 3.3 assists in a reserve role.
He rejoined the New Orleans Pelicans on March 21, 2025, on a third stint with the franchise, signing successive 10-day deals before converting to a two-year standard contract on April 11 to help New Orleans finish the regular season. Through his first seven games of the second Pelicans stretch, he averaged 6.7 points, 6.9 assists, 3.4 rebounds, and 1.4 steals, providing veteran backcourt leadership.
Payton has since joined the Austin Spurs of the NBA G League, where his 2025 outlook centers on continuing to facilitate offense, mentor younger guards, and add to his career totals in assists and triple-doubles. His ability to step into starting lineups on short notice remains a defining feature of his late-career role.