With the Knicks preparing to hold a three-man competition in training camp to fill an open roster spot, free agent guard Cameron Payne is no longer in their plans, a league source confirms to Stefan Bondy of The New York Post (Twitter link).
Payne came to New York last summer on a one-year minimum contract. He appeared in 72 games, making five starts and averaging 6.9 points, 1.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 15.1 minutes per night with .401/.363/.907 shooting numbers.
Payne scored 14 points off the bench and was a plus-23 overall in the opener of the Knicks’ first-round series against Detroit. However, his shooting numbers declined throughout the playoffs, and he was removed from the rotation during the Eastern Conference Finals.
Unless they shed salary by making a trade, the Knicks only have enough cap flexibility below the second tax apron to add one more veteran on a minimum-salary contract. Malcolm Brogdon, Landry Shamet and Garrison Mathews all agreed to non-guaranteed deals this week and will battle for that spot on the roster.
Payne, 31, only has a couple of weeks to catch on with a new team before the start of training camp. There haven’t been any reports over the summer to indicate that he’s close to signing with anyone.
Payne was selected by Oklahoma City with the 14th pick in the 2015 draft. He was traded to Chicago at the 2017 deadline and later spent time with Cleveland, Phoenix, Milwaukee and Philadelphia before signing with New York.
I love his energy, but in the end Brogdon is a better option. That’s if Brogdon is healthy…
Good bench fan and has his moments of streaks, but in the end his inconsistency and lack of respect with teams leaving him open ands doubling elsewhere made this a no brainer.
That’s the problem though, Brogo is never healthy.
greg1:
Maybe with less responsibility and less minutes he will be.
Very interesting when the news reported is something that everyone in the world already knew.
Breaking News! This just in, its a shocking development.
I’m surprised they prefer Brogdon over Payne. Brogdon is better when healthy, but he’s chronically injured. This means Knicks will to find (and pay) a 3rd PG.
I guess the Knicks haven’t been a good fit for Payne.
Based on watching Payne for years in the West, I thought he’d make a bigger contribution.
I don’t see them adding another PG. They’ll shoehorn in McBride or Clarkson when Brogdon is out, unless Kolek impresses.
Payne wasn’t so bad for us. He was inconsistent but overall he played about as well as one might expect a minimum-salary backup to an all-NBA player to perform. Plus he was our best type man since Theo Pinson
Brunson, McBride, Clarkson, Kolek all play PG. Knicks don’t need another PG. 12 players suit up for games. What needs to happen. Is for Kolek to step up.
Add Brogdon to that group. Clarkson is really more of an off guard. He can handle the ball, but he’s really a shoot first player.
aristotle:
Is this a real take or do you work for The Onion?
Payne wasn’t consistent enough last year. He was really playing more like a SG than a PG. Imo he can still be productive in the right system. Wish him the best.
Teams that need PG depth. Should bring him in for a look.
Na Al Payne is done. Streaky player who can catch fire here and there But he’s pretty much a negative. In all reality Clarkson is a year or two away from this being 32. Not saying He won’t be good this year but the lack of defense and playing without the ball is going to force him exactly into what payne is in 2 years. Payne is a 14/15 man at this point and he doesn’t provide that bench coaching so you might as well have a young guy in that spot. It was great why it lasted but it’s over. Hopefully he saved his money or can go play overseas and enjoy the rest of his life and career!!
I’m still not sure why Knicks didn’t consider a reunion with Burks. The next decision is a difficult one. Hopefully, Diadet stays
Good. Now trade for Danny Wolf.