New Orleans Pelicans DVOA, Stats, & NBA Rankings

Charlotte Hornets guard Elfrid Payton will move into the starting five ahead of Thursday's game against the Denver Nuggets. Payton will get the start here with LaMelo Ball (rest) sitting out the second game of this back-to-back set. Payton posted four points, four rebounds, and seven assists across 31 minutes of action during a spot start during the final game before the All-Star break. Fantasy managers should expect a similar result during Thursday's game. If that happens, Payton should offer low-end streaming value for Thursday, but normally isn't a viable option behind Ball in the rotation.

The Charlotte Hornets have signed guard Elfrid Payton to a second 10-day contract. Previously, Payton had a stint with the New Orleans Pelicans before landing with the Hornets shortly before the All-Star break. Payton started for the Hornets during their final game before the break with LaMelo Ball (ankle) being sidelined. The 30-year-old finished with four points, four rebounds, and seven assists in 30 minutes of action. It appears that was enough for the Hornets to give Payton another look through the rest of the month. He figures to play a role behind Ball in the rotation, but it probably won't be enough to warrant rostering him in most fantasy formats.

New Orleans Pelicans center Kelly Olynyk will not make his debut with the Pelicans on Thursday when the team takes on the Sacramento Kings for the second day in a row. Olynyk averaged 15.6 minutes per game off the bench in Toronto before being traded to New Orleans as part of the deal that sent Brandon Ingram to the Raptors. Olynyk's role with his new team is still uncertain, but while he's out Thursday along with Zion Williamson (conditioning), there will be plenty of minutes and usage available for Yves Missi, Karlo Matkovic, Jeremiah Robinson-Earl, and Javonte Green.

New Orleans Pelicans guard Brandon Boston Jr. (ankle) will miss a third straight game on Thursday when the Pelicans finish a back-to-back set of games at home against the Kings. Boston averaged 10.7 points, 3.2 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.3 steals in 23.4 minutes per game in his 42 games, but he won't have a chance to return to the rotation now until after the All-Star break. CJ McCollum and Jose Alvarado will continue to carry the load in the backcourt, while newcomer Bruce Brown will stay involved off the bench after playing 26 minutes in his Pelicans debut on Wednesday.

Pelicans forward Zion Williamson (conditioning) will not play Thursday night to finish off a back-to-back set of games against the Kings. Williamson played 28 minutes and racked up 33 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists in one of his best games of the year on Wednesday, but the Pelicans still lost their 10th straight game. Despite his recent production, Zion is still not quite ready to play consecutive days. In his place, Karlo Matkovic, Javonte Green, and Jeremiah Robinson-Earl are lined up for more work on Thursday in a favorable matchup against Sacramento. Matkovic fouled out in just 14 scoreless minutes on Wednesday, but he still makes an interesting streaming or DFS option since he showed intriguing upside over the past few weeks.