Elfrid Payton To Start For Knicks?

Will former Louisiana Ragin' Cajun basketball standout Elfird Payton be a starter for his new team in the 2019-2020 NBA season?

A native of Gretna, Louisiana, Payton signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the New York Knicks on July 1.

Payton will be battling for the Knicks' starting point guard position, along with Dennis Smith, Jr. and Frank Ntilikina.

The 24-year old Payton in 42 games for the Pelicans last season, averaging 10.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 7.6 assists-per-game.

Payton played three years for the Cajuns, from the 2011-2012 season through the 2013-2014 campaign.

In his junior season (2013-2014) Payton emerged as one of the top defensive players in college basketball, while also averaging 19.2 points, 5.9 assists, 6.0 rebounds and 2.3 steals per game, helping lead Louisiana to the NCAA Tournament.

In that season, Payton was named first team All-Sun Belt, the conference Defensive Player of the Year, and the National Defensive Player of the Year by winning the Lefty Driesell Award.

Following his junior season, Payton declared for the NBA Draft, and was selected by the Orlando Magic with the 10th-overall pick.