OCTOBER 2: The signing is official, the Bucks announced in a press release.
OCTOBER 1: Damian Lillard appears to have a new backup.
Sources inform Shams Charania of The Athletic (Twitter link) that the Bucks have agreed to sign free agent point guard Cameron Payne to a new one-year contract.
The 6’1″ vet out of Murray State is joining a revamped Milwaukee squad after salvaging his career with a four-year stint on the Suns.
The No. 14 pick in the 2015 lottery, Payne struggled to develop through runs with the Thunder, Bulls and Cavaliers. He really found his footing after signing on with Phoenix in 2019. Across his four seasons with the Suns as Chris Paul‘s backup, Payne posted regular season averages of 9.8 PPG on .434/.384/.833 shooting splits. He also contributed 4.2 APG, 2.6 RPG and 0.7 SPG.
In July, the Suns traded Payne, a 2025 second-rounder and cash to the Spurs for a 2024 protected second-round draft pick. He was waived by San Antonio in September, becoming an unrestricted free agent. Payne had been owed a guaranteed salary of $6.5MM.
Payne now looks likely to become the primary reserve behind newly acquired All-Star point guard Lillard on a starry East contender that seems poised to once again contend for a top seed in the conference.
Though terms of the deal have yet to be divulged, the Bucks cannot offer Payne anything above the veteran’s minimum due to their proximity to the tax aprons.
Headline should say Cam Payne, not Cam Reddish
Cam Payne not Reddish
Payne, not Reddish
Just what the league needs…another Cam Reddish! Please spare us, oh cruel basketball goods.
My faux pas. Amended!
Good move. One of the better backup PGs in the league. Any depth the Bucks can get at this point is good, honestly.
Love it!
Keep on thinking: why the hell did the Spurs waive him. Same goes for Reggie Bullock. They were ideal for salary-matching…
They were not going to cut young guys that may grow with Wemby. They have McDermott and cap space after the year anyways.
Agreed. Or why not use the money they took on in salaries for a couple 2nd round picks to make a big offer sheet for Austin Reeves instead?
Good backup and with a defensive minded team they can cover for him. Teams won’t take as much advantage of him being small.