Sacramento is still searching for the right experienced point guard to serve as a backup for their standout rookie, Darius Acuff. Elfrid Payton has earned an opportunity after signing a one-year, non-guaranteed contract to join the Kings’ training camp, according to Michael Scotto from Hoopshype.
Payton will be vying for the backup point guard position against Ben Simmons, who is also on a one-year, non-guaranteed deal. Simmons appears to be the favorite for the role.
Though Payton brings nine seasons of NBA experience, he has only played 24 games over the last four years and was out of the league last season. The 32-year-old last appeared in the 2024-25 season, splitting 24 games between New Orleans and Charlotte, averaging 3.5 points and 6.9 assists per game. However, he has never been a top scorer and shot just 32.8% from the field that season.
Nonetheless, the Kings are giving him a chance as they continue their search for the best fit.
Currently, Sacramento has 13 standard contracts on their roster and plans to add a backup point guard to fill their 14th spot. While they could potentially keep both Simmons and Payton (or another player) to reach 15 players, doing so would leave them just under half a million dollars shy of the luxury tax and limit their trade flexibility. Thus, it’s most likely that they will begin the season with a 14-man roster.
Fan Take: This move highlights Sacramento’s commitment to finding the ideal veteran presence to support their young talent, which is crucial for the team’s development. For basketball fans, it’s a reminder of how important depth and experience are in shaping a successful season, especially when balancing promising rookies with seasoned players.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
