The New York Knicks have added a free agent, but probably not at the position most Knicks fans would have preferred.
Cameron Payne has agreed to a one-year, $3.1 million contract with the Knicks with a minimum veterans’ exception, according to multiple media reports. Last season, he averaged 7.4 points and 2.6 assists while shooting 39 percent from three for the Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers.
Payne, who turns 30 in August, was traded to the Sixers with a second-round draft pick in February for Patrick Beverley. In 31 games with Philadelphia, he averaged 9.3 points and 3.1 assists per game on 38 percent 3-point shooting. During the playoffs, Payne appeared in five games, averaging 5.3 points on 44 percent 3-point shooting as a valuable backup to Tyrese Maxey.
Now, he’ll provide depth behind Jalen Brunson in New York, along with Miles McBride. (The Knicks intend to keep McBride, According to Ian Begley of SNY.) Brunson recently agreed to a four-year, $156.5 million contract extension with the Knicks.
11 points on 4-of-7 shooting (including 3 3-pointers), 3 assists and 2 blocks in 15 minutes for Cam Payne in Game 3.
Payne kept the offense going in the second quarter and showed a lot of energy throughout the game. He really showed that he can contribute in this series. image.twitter.com/JkItJU1wQg
— Tom West (@TomWestNBA) April 27, 2024
In addition to re-signing Brunson, the Knicks also re-signed OG Anunoby and acquired Mikal Bridges to give their lineup two productive forwards. Payne and Bridges were teammates on the Phoenix Suns from 2019-2023.
However, New York lost Isaiah Hartenstein in free agency, creating a hole on the roster that the team is still trying to fill. Remaining free agent centers He’s in short supply right now, so the Knicks might have to work out a deal to get one.
Payne made headlines earlier this summer when he was arrested in Scottsdale, Arizona, for allegedly giving a false report to police officers and refusing to give his name. He was arrested, but was released from jail a short time later.
In nine NBA seasons, Payne has played for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Suns, Bucks and Sixers. He was the Thunder’s first-round pick (No. 14 overall) in the 2015 NBA Draft outside the state of Murray.
