Cameron Payne, an established veteran point guard, has joined the New York Knicks after completing a season where he played for both the Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers. Payne began the year with the Bucks before being traded to the 76ers in February.
The former Murray State standout had a solid season, averaging 7.4 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 2.6 assists per game while shooting 43.2% from the field and an impressive 39.0% from three-point range over 78 games. The Knicks utilized the veteran’s minimum exception to sign Payne, according to a league source. The team also had interest in free agent point guard Tyus Jones but ultimately opted for Payne due to his playoff experience, which includes 47 playoff games over the past four years.
Payne, who was the 14th pick in the 2015 NBA Draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder, has played for several teams during his nine-season NBA career, including the Thunder, Bucks, 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Chicago Bulls, and Cleveland Cavaliers. His career averages are 7.9 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game, with shooting percentages of 42.2% from the field and 36.9% from beyond the arc in 405 regular-season games. He has also appeared in 58 playoff games, including six starts.
One of Payne’s career highlights came during the 2021 season when he helped lead the Phoenix Suns to the NBA Finals, where they ultimately fell to the Bucks in six games.
With his wealth of experience and proven track record, Payne is expected to provide valuable depth and leadership to the Knicks’ backcourt as they aim for a strong performance in the upcoming season.