With media day and training camp looming, the Indiana Pacers made two cuts on Saturday. The blue and gold announced that they have waived Jordan Bell and Elfrid Payton.
Both NBA veterans were signed earlier this week. Bell has five years of NBA experience while Payton has eight. Both players last appeared in the association during the 2021-22 campaign.
Now, both of the players will head to the G League. The Pacers G League club, The Mad Ants, own the affiliate rights to both vets, so they would end up there if they head to the G League. The Mad Ants will be playing and practicing in the Pacers facilities this season, so both players could be around Indianapolis this year. That was appealing to Payton earlier in 2023.
Payton was with the Pacers' affiliate squad last season, and he played in 10 games for the group. Bell, meanwhile, was with the Mad Ants in 2021-22, where he appeared in 21 battles. Both will be teammates if they report to the G League this year.
Both players signed Exhibit 10 deals, so they will receive a financial bonus if they are with the Indiana Mad Ants for at least 60 days. The Pacers have a history of promoting players from their G League outfit, including Gabe York last season and Justin Anderson, Terry Taylor, and York the year prior, so the two veterans could be NBA call-ups at some point in 2023-24 if they play well.
The Mad Ants begin action on November 11, and their home opener is two days later. Perhaps Bell and Payton will debut in Indianapolis then.
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