The New York Knicks are bringing in ninth-year point guard Cameron Payne. He’ll sign a one-year deal for $3.1 million, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.
Charania was first with reports of the agreement on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Free agent guard Cam Payne has agreed to a one-year, $3.1 million deal with the New York Knicks, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium.
New York is familiar with Payne, who was a member of the Philadelphia 76ers team they faced in the first round of the 2024 playoffs.
He scored 11 points in 15 minutes in their Game 3 win. SNY’s Ian Begley reported on July 15 that the Knicks were interested in Payne, in part, because of his postseason resume.
Knicks used veteran’s minimum exception to sign point guard Cam Payne, league source confirms. Knicks also had registered interest in free agent PG Tyus Jones, league sources say. NYK liked, among other things, that Payne has playoff experience (47 playoff games in past 4 years)
“NYK liked, among other things, that Payne has playoff experience (47 playoff games in past 4 years),” Begley tweeted.
Payne appeared in 78 games last season between stints with both the Milwaukee Bucks and 76ers. He averaged 7.4 points and 2.6 assists on 39% shooting from three.
Knicks Prioritizing Roster Depth
Following a 50-win season that culminated with a Game 7 loss to the Indiana Pacers, New York has added much-needed depth to the roster.
Many would argue that their playoff run ended in the Conference Semifinals due to a lack of bodies. OG Anunoby, Bojan Bogdanovic, Julius Randle, and Mitchell Robinson all missed some or all of the 2024 playoffs.
As an answer to the crux of last season, Leon Rose and the Knicks’ front office have improved the bench. Payne is the latest example.
The acquisition of Mikal Bridges moves Donte DiVincenzo–who set the franchise record for most three-pointers in a season last year–to the bench.
And with a healthy roster, Josh Hart will join him there after starting for the back half of the 2023-2024 season.
That would form a rotation that looks something along these lines:
Starting lineup: Jalen Brunson, Bridges, Anunoby, Randle, Robinson
Second unit:Miles McBride, Payne, DiVincenzo, Hart, Jericho Sims
Reserves:Tyler Kolek, Pacome Dadiet, Keita Bates-Diop
That makes for 11 NBA players with years of experience and two rookies. It’s an improvement across the board from last season.
Precious Achiuwa is also waiting in the wings of free agency, and could potentially return to New York and take the place of Payne or Sims place in the second unit.
Regardless, the Knicks are a better team on paper going into next season. And that’s after losing Isaiah Hartenstein in free agency.
New York Still Short in Center Rotation
While there’s no argument New York improved on paper, they’re still short in the center rotation.
After losing Hartenstein in free agency, the Knicks didn’t add any new big men this summer. Or they haven’t yet, as of July 15.
Robinson is likely to be assumed to the starting lineup, a role he held before suffering an ankle injury that sidelined him for 50 games last season.
But there’s pessimism as to whether or not Sims is ready for rotation minutes.
The third-year center played just 585 minutes last season, and averaged only 2 points and 3.3 rebounds over 45 appearances.
It’s increasingly likely Rose and the front office will bring on a third center. They’ve been linked to Nick Richards and Walker Kessler, both of whom would require a trade with either the Charlotte Hornets or Utah Jazz.
Depending upon what it costs them, there’s reason to consider New York as one of the deeper rosters in the NBA once they square away the center rotation.
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Knicks Sign Playoff Rival to $3.1 Million Deal: Report