The New Orleans Pelicans remain high after snagging Zion Williamson from the 2019 NBA Draft. But of course, the team needs to decide on the final roster before the 2019-20 NBA season kicks off. The focus will now be on the free agent market where the Pelicans could consider several marquee players willing to join the franchise. But before delving into that, general manager Trajan Longdon and head coach Alvin Gentry need to figure out who to keep and who to let go.
There are several players from New Orleans expected to join the free agent frenzy this summer. Julius Randle is one of them, a target by multiple teams after a breakout year. There is also Cheick Diallo, Darius Miller, and Elfrid Payton testing the waters. It remains to be seen who the Pelicans would consider keeping although Payton could prove to be a logical keep.
Payton, the 10th pick of the 2014 NBA Draft, had his best years with the Orlando Magic from 2014-18. He was traded to the Phoenix Suns in 2018, playing only 19 games. He signed with the Pelicans last NBA season but hardly made an impact. Though he put up numbers, there is a chance that he could excel on that if the Pelicans are open to re-signing him.
But there will be several factors in play. One is health since Payton saw action in only 33 games due to injury. In the limited number of games, he was able to show his stuff; the good news is that Payton showed he is capable of delivering triple-double performances, Fansided said. Should Pelicans management take note of that, the next question is how much he would get. He settled for a $3 million contract last NBA season, in what most believe was for the 6-foot-4 guard to prove he still got game.
Following the Anthony Davis trade, standing in the way of Payton are a couple of former Lakers guards in Lonzo Ball and Josh Hart. Both were part of the Anthony Davis trade, meaning the 6-foot-4 guard's chances of re-signing may depend on how things turn out this summer. Longdon and Gentry will be looking to keep and add key players who can blend in with their new system likely to be built around Zion Williamson, Fansided said in another report.
If that is the case for Payton, all he can do right now is a wait to see which team he could play for next. Several teams are in the market for a point guard. Given his talent, the University of Louisiana standout is expected to be a signed next NBA season although the figures may not be far from his previous $3 million pact.
