Cameron Payne isn’t hiding his feelings about the Suns dealing him to the rebuilding Spurs. Payne admits he’d rather be in Phoenix, Duane Rankin of the Arizona Republic relays via an Instagram Live post from the point guard.
“Man, I love Phoenix, bro, I miss Phoenix already,” Payne said. “I wish I was in Phoenix still but hey, it is where it is, man. They’re trying to win a chip and I respect it. I feel like they could’ve won a chip with me though ’cause like, I’m tough.”
Payne was dealt, along with the Pelicans’ 2025 second-rounder acquired in a previous deal, to the Spurs for a protected 2024 second-rounder. Phoenix reduced its luxury tax bill by trading Payne’s $6.5MM salary and also acquired a trade exception of the same value.
We have more from the Pacific Division:
- Due to injury and other factors, Kevin Durant hasn’t played in Golden State since he left the Warriors and signed with the Nets in 2019. As long as he’s not injured coming out of training camp, Durant will finally make his return to the Warriors’ home floor when the Suns open their regular season there on Oct. 24, according to Rankin.
- The Kings signed Neemias Queta to a two-year, $4.2MM contract, according to Michael Scotto of Hoops Hype (Twitter link). The first year is partially guaranteed and the second season salary is non-guaranteed. Queta, who played with Sacramento on a two-way contract last season, signed a standard contract earlier this week. According to Ricardo Brito Reis (Twitter link), Queta’s $2,019,706 salary for next season includes a $250K guarantee. It’s guaranteed for $500K if he’s on the Opening Day roster and becomes fully guaranteed on Jan. 10. His 2024/25 salary of $2,196,970 becomes guaranteed for $1,098,485 on July 10 and fully guaranteed on Jan. 10, 2025.
- In case you missed it, the Clippers have guaranteed the final year of Tyronn Lue’s contract. Get the details here.
He’ll have his chance to get back there. He won’t be a Spur to start the season.
why wouldn’t he be?
Sure he will, he’s a veteran presence for a young team on a expiring contract.
Yeah, it’s highly unlikely he doesn’t start the season with the Spurs.
Now, it’ll probably be a different story more towards the trade deadline.
Most of y’all forgetting that they have a roster crunch right now, I think it’s like 18 players, not including the two way players. They got to get rid of someone, they gonna choose the young guys over a dude who doesn’t want to be there. They’re most likely holding onto him until they are able to trade him, like as a cap piece in a Lillard trade. If it doesn’t happen before the regular season starts they’ll release him. I’d be surprised if he stays on.
Cam Payne and Reggie Bullock for Evan Fouriner and a protected first round pick
Payne would be a solid back up for NY.
He works hard and plays defence that’s a Tom Thibs kinda player. Offers some playmaking, some experience and NY would be a better challenge for Payne than San Antonio. Bullock also a hard worker and good defender. Offers some versatility and again would fit in well with Thibs.
San Antonio have kept their eyes and ears out on Fouriner for a little while now. He’d be a good veteran for this young team, also the same country as Wembanyama and could help him adjust. Would fit in well in that locker room and needs to get out of NY. Spurs also bank a pick out of it.
I’d move Barrett to SG and start Bullock SF.
Then off the bench only IQ and Hart are assured of their positions. Payne, DiVan, Grimes, McBride, Sims and Hartenstein have to fight for minutes.
Bullock as a starter offers better three point shooting and is still good defensively. RJ’s size helps cover Brunson in the backcourt.
All those players competing also make good trade bait if you wanted to try swing for another good upgrade…
I think most people liked Cam here when he played. But that was the issue, he was just hurt too much combined with CP3 also seemingly hurt at the wrong times it was time to go a different route.