Elfrid Payton is off the Sacramento Kings roster as of Sunday, Oct. 18. The move follows a Saturday report that the Kings waived him along with Viktor Lakhin and Tristen Newton.
The move
Payton, 32, a nine-season guard, leaves the Sacramento Kings roster, confirmed by the official roster on Sunday, Oct. 18. The move was preceded by a Saturday, Oct. 17 report from hoopsrumors, "Kings Waive Viktor Lakhin, Tristen Newton, Elfrid Payton," with confidence not given. He is no longer on an NBA roster.
The money
Payton's contract is not on file yet; public salary data can lag a signing or departure by a day. The Kings carry $191.8M in payroll across 13 contracts for 2026-27, over the $165.0M cap but under the $200.4M tax line, with the first apron at $209.0M and the second apron at $221.7M.
The fit
Payton did not play in the NBA last season. The Kings' backcourt and wing rotation last season was led by Keegan Murray (34.5 min, 14.0 pts), Zach LaVine (31.4 min, 19.2 pts), DeMar DeRozan (31.2 min, 18.4 pts), Russell Westbrook (28.9 min, 15.2 pts) and Dennis Schroder (26.4 min, 12.8 pts). Sacramento's roster now stands at 17 players, against a standard limit of 15 plus three two-way slots.
Did the Kings sign or trade Elfrid Payton?
Not announced. The move is detected as him leaving the Sacramento Kings roster, and a Saturday hoopsrumors report said the Kings waived him.
What is Elfrid Payton's contract status?
Not on file yet. Public salary data can lag by a day.
Did Payton play last season?
He has no NBA line from last season.