Kings waive Elfrid Payton, two others

The Kings have waived veteran guard Elfrid Payton, along with Tristen Newton and Viktor Lakhin, the team announced Saturday, via Sean Cunningham of NBC Sacramento.

Payton signed a non-guaranteed camp deal in September and had been competing for a spot on the standard roster. The former No. 10 overall pick has played nine NBA seasons.

His next stop is unclear. Payton’s contract didn’t include Exhibit 10 language, so it wasn’t structured to provide a bonus for joining the Kings’ G League affiliate. Newton and Lakhin are expected to continue with Stockton.

A second-round pick in 2024, Newton has appeared in nine NBA games across two seasons on two-way contracts with the Pacers, Timberwolves and Rockets. The former UConn guard earned All-NBA G League first-team honors last season, and Stockton acquired his returning rights in September.

Lakhin went undrafted out of Clemson in 2025 before joining the Oklahoma City Blue. He averaged 10.3 points and 7.1 rebounds in 31 G League appearances last season.

Both Newton and Lakhin can earn bonuses of up to $91,000 by spending at least 60 days with Stockton.

For Payton, the cuts end a camp opportunity that offered a possible route back onto an NBA roster. He’ll now look for another opening.