Sources: Pels waiving guard Payton after 7 games

The New Orleans Pelicans are waiving guard Elfrid Payton, sources told ESPN on Tuesday.

Payton averaged 6.7 points, 6.9 assists and 3.4 rebounds in 20.5 minutes per night in seven games for the Pelicans — including a 14-point, 21-assist, 7-rebound performance on Nov. 25 against the Indiana Pacers.

The Pelicans (4-18) are currently managing a roster in the luxury tax, so with Dejounte Murray and CJ McCollum returning to action, Payton was released. New Orleans is also expected to have Brandon Ingram (calf) and Herb Jones (shoulder) make returns as soon as Thursday’s game against the Phoenix Suns, sources said.

The Pelicans signed Payton on Nov. 20, and the nine-year NBA veteran made an immediate impact in his return to New Orleans.

Payton, 30, was a teammate with Pelicans coach Willie Green on the 2014-15 Orlando Magic. Payton played for the Pelicans in 2018-19, recording six triple-doubles on the season.

Payton was named first-team All-Rookie in 2015.