Veteran level guard Cameron Payne is retaining his deal with the NBA regardless of a severe supply from Partizan Belgrade.
In line with NBA insider Marc Stein, Payne “has determined to remain house for now to attend for his subsequent NBA alternative,” though Partizan confirmed sturdy curiosity amid damage to key guard Carlik Jones.
The Serbian membership had been exploring backcourt reinforcements after Jones suffered an damage that left Zeljko Obradovic’s rotation with out a pure playmaker.
Payne, 31, emerged as a primary goal resulting from his expertise, taking pictures, and skill to manage tempo — qualities that made him a dependable reserve in a number of NBA rotations over the previous decade.
Payne briefly joined the Indiana Pacers earlier this month, signing on October 9 earlier than being waived 9 days later following the preseason. His choice to remain affected person alerts confidence that an NBA crew will quickly have a roster opening.
Over 10 seasons, Payne has constructed a status as a gentle contributor off the bench. He has performed 477 profession NBA video games, averaging 7.8 factors and three.2 assists whereas taking pictures 36.8% from three-point vary.
His best stretch got here with the Phoenix Suns, the place he averaged 8.4 factors and three.6 assists in the course of the 2020–21 season and performed a key function of their run to the 2021 NBA Finals.
Payne later had stints with Milwaukee, Philadelphia, and New York, spending the 2024–25 marketing campaign with the Knicks, the place he appeared in 72 video games and averaged 6.9 factors in 15.1 minutes.
