Cam Payne Leaving Europe to Return to NBA?

After spending the first 10 years of his professional basketball career in the NBA, Cam Payne found an opportunity in Europe for this season.

Of course, he has bounced around a bit in recent years, but has found his way onto the court in the playoffs wherever he has been. Whether playing big minutes on the Phoenix Suns Finals run, or for the New York Knicks run to the conference finals a year ago, he’s always been out there.

Now, according to some sources in Europe, he’s reportedly returning to the association.

Payne has played at a high level, as seen in the video below. He has been able to continue to tear it up, as he had been doing in limited minutes on the NBA court.

Payne has been able to average 12 points and four assists per game while pouring in threes as needed for his squad. Let’s talk about his potential return.

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Cam Payne Set for NBA Return?

It did appear at one time like Cam Payne may be a key reserve guard with the Pacers this year. He signed a training camp deal with the team, and with Tyrese Haliburton out for the season, minutes could have been available. They went another route, and thus Europe came calling.

The initial deal signed by Payne with Partizan Mozzart was a hefty one. The club, per sources close to the situation, would earn $1,700,000 in the transfer.

The NBA team expected to add Payne is the Philadelphia 76ers. He was acquired by the team at the deadline in 2024 in exchange for Patrick Beverley. He provided some key minutes, knocking down some critical shots for the team in their playoff series with the Knicks.

Talking about Payne, this is a player that is never shy or lacking confidence. He is able to provide timely buckets and assists, and has never gone out of his way to disrupt a team’s flow.

After the surprise trade of Jared McCain at the deadline, Philly has been lacking in guard depth. The team brings back a guy that has already played under Nick Nurse (even if for a limited time), and found success.

Of course, until NBA sources comment on the deal, it remains a “rumor”. But if it does come to fruition, the team would be adding another veteran to a locker room that could use one.

Adding the fact that Paul George’s suspension remains ongoing, this can certainly help out.

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Projecting Potential Cam Payne Role In Philadelphia

Should the deal become official here, Cam Payne would step into the rotation with the 76ers. Lacking in backcourt depth behind Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, they would be getting some nice relief.

Payne averaged nine points per game and hit 39% of his threes during his 31 games in Philly during the 2023-24 regular season. That kind of value could go a long way, and perhaps stop Maxey from having to play 40+ minutes in every game.

The team opted to bring on Reggie Jackson in his place last season, perhaps for a slightly cheaper price tag, which didn’t work out. Now that he is reportedly coming back, we’ll see what he can bring.

Quentin Grimes has been the only other guard in the reserve rotation, so Payne should be able to log 15-20 minutes a night once he gets comfortable in the flow.

Should this move be made official, it will be good to see CP back in the association.

Zach Weiss Zach Weiss is a sports reporter covering the NBA for Heavy. He also hosts a podcast about the Cleveland Cavaliers, “Across the Cavs,” and serves as a sports broadcaster for various institutions in the Greater NYC Area. He wrote for Knup Sports for six years. More about Zach Weiss