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Does Elfrid Payton make sense for the Hornets?

By Evan Birchmore

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - APRIL 24: Elfrid Payton #2 of the Phoenix Suns reacts against the New Orleans Pelicans during Game Four of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at the Smoothie King Center on April 24, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - APRIL 24: Elfrid Payton #2 of the Phoenix Suns reacts against the New Orleans Pelicans during Game Four of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at the Smoothie King Center on April 24, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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The Charlotte Hornets are reportedly interested in free agent point guard Elfrid Payton, as first reported by NBA correspondent Marc Stein.

The Hornets currently have 14 players on their roster, including one on a two-way contract in Bryce McGowens. With the NBA regular season roster limit set at 15, Charlotte could theoretically have two available spots. One of those will almost certainly be used on a backup point guard, while the other may continue to be in limbo until more clarity is provided on Miles Bridges’ legal situation.

Payton is an eight-year veteran and most recently played with the Phoenix Suns, appearing in 50 games last season. For his career, he has posted averages of 10.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 5.7 assists on 44.7% shooting, including 28.7% from three-point range. Now entering his age-29 season, Payton will look to catch on with a fifth NBA franchise.

He is known as a solid defender and in theory could give the Hornets another plus defender on the perimeter. Payton holds a career individual defensive rating 109.6, which would have been the best for any Hornets guard a season ago.

Payton experienced a bit of a renaissance in 2020-21, as he became a starter on a New York Knicks team that made the playoffs. However, although he did start in 63 contests over the 72-game schedule, Payton averaged just 23.6 minutes per night, the eighth-most on the team.

Payton has been a part of two playoff teams, first with the 2020-21 Knicks and then with the 2021-22 Phoenix Suns. In total, he saw action in four games and posted five points, four assists, and one steal.

Any discussion of Payton must involve his shooting woes, particularly from three-point range. He has largely avoided using the three-point shot, as his career average of 1.3 three-point attempts per game would have been the 11th-highest mark for Charlotte last season. Only JT Thor (25.9%) shot a worse percentage from three-point range at the NBA level last year than Payton’s career mark.

Does signing Elfrid Payton make sense for the Charlotte Hornets?

Ultimately, Payton fits the prototype of Charlotte’s ideal backup point guard better than either Isaiah Thomas or Kemba Walker. However, there is little chance that he would provide the intangibles that either Thomas or Walker would. While Payton would be the first outside free agent addition for Charlotte this offseason, he does not have the built-in goodwill with the players on the roster like Thomas does or with the fanbase like Walker does. Ultimately, the merit of adding Elfrid Payton will be determined by whether the Hornets’ front office values his tangible impact over the intangible impact of the other options at the position.

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