While reeling off 24 wins over a 32-game stretch last season, punctuated by a stunning first-round sweep of Portland, it became impossible to ignore the obvious. The New Orleans Pelicans are at their most dangerous when playing at a head-spinning pace, led by a pass-first point guard who sees the floor and gets the ball to Anthony Davis and others in spots where they can do the most damage.
It would be asking a lot of any point guard to replace the historically-great distributing skills of Rajon Rondo (12.2 assists per game in 2018 playoffs), who left to sign as a free agent with the Lakers, but in Elfrid Payton, the Pelicans added a player with a similar approach to the position.