Shams Charania reports that point guard Cameron Payne has agreed to join the New York Knicks on a one-year contract, marking his 10th NBA season and his seventh team in the league.
Payne, initially considered by some as a draft disappointment after being selected 14th overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2015, saw a career resurgence after joining the Phoenix Suns. During his stint with the Suns from 2019 to 2023, Payne emerged as a reliable scoring point guard off the bench, averaging 9.8 points and 4.2 assists per game. He notably improved his shooting percentages, including a 38.4% three-point shooting rate.
Free agent guard Cam Payne has agreed to a one-year, $3.1 million deal with the New York Knicks, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. pic.twitter.com/r7wuw1HuMM
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 15, 2024
Moving to the Milwaukee Bucks in 2023 and later traded to the Philadelphia 76ers, Payne continued to contribute, averaging 7.4 points and 2.6 assists per game last season. His shooting splits were .432/.390/.866, showcasing his scoring efficiency.
The Knicks, impressed by Payne’s performance against them in the playoffs, have bolstered their point guard rotation led by Jalen Brunson. With Immanuel Quickley traded, Miles McBride has taken on a backup role, showing improvement with 8.3 points per game last season. The addition of Tyler Kolek from the 2024 NBA Draft further enhances their depth, emphasizing the Knicks’ commitment to strengthening their roster after playoff injuries highlighted the need for reliable bench contributors under coach Tom Thibodeau.
