AUGUST 6: Payne is officially back under contract with the Suns, who announced his deal today in a press release.
AUGUST 2: Free agent reserve point guard Cameron Payne will return to the team that saw him develop into one of the league’s better backup ball handlers this season. After proving himself as a crucial role-playing contributor, Payne will remain with the Suns on a three-year, $19MM contract, per Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports (via Twitter).
The 6’1″ Payne, 26, blossomed as a backup behind future Hall of Famer Chris Paul in Phoenix during a charmed 2020/21 season, which saw the Suns return to their first NBA Finals in 28 years.
After being initially drafted by the Thunder in 2015 with the No. 14 pick out of Murray State, Payne struggled to develop at the next level. Payne also served stints with Chicago and Cleveland before landing with Phoenix on a two-year deal ahead of the 2020 Orlando “bubble” restart. During his eight-game 2019/20 season cameo, Payne enjoyed a breakout run. Payne average 10.9 PP, 3.9 RPG and 3.0 APG across 22.9 MPG during Phoenix’s 8-0 bubble streak.
The stellar play continued during the 2020/21 season, as Payne averaged 8.4 PPG, 3.6 APG, 2.4 RPG and 0.6 SPG in just 18.0 MPG in 60 games during Phoenix’s truncated 72-game regular season. Payne also posted a solid shooting line of .484/.440/893.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports.
Steal, wow
What a steal
OK kid. It’s on you now. Show everyone why you were a lottery pick. 6.33 mill a yr. is market value. He can resign in yr two. Where he’s come from. To have guaranteed 20 mill is hitting the lottery.
Rumors were Knicks were going to offer 2 years at 10mm per year. Getting him for 3 and 20 was solid
So glad the Suns signed him. Saves the Knicks from blowing away that sweet cap room on a reserve. He’s decent, but not in the cards for what the Knicks need.
Yeah we need a vet. He’s great for Suns. Dinwiddie is still out there. They are saying it’s Wizards, Pelicans, and Knicks. Dinwiddie can help all three. Stay home bro. Why move
Fire his agent!!
Much better than that joke of a Chris Paul signing
YES!!!!!!!! …….JAVALE MCGEE TO SUNS!!!!!!!……. LOVE IT!!!!!!!
YEAH!!!!!!!……. CAM PAYNE!!!!!!!
That’s a steal for them, but even still, good for him, with everything he kind of went through. Will be more important for them, having lost Javon Carter defensively