[Ian Begley] 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)
by ReturnOfAKidNamedTae
31 Comments
All about having confidence on the bench and in the locker room.
This makes me think that Deuce is safe, and they just wanted extra depth and playoff experience. That can definitely be invaluable, especially since Payne has been to a Finals before and could provide something no one else on the roster aside from Donte.
The new Theo with game
https://youtu.be/QO6t0qA_KfI?si=TFyvqUUo1Uj1bfiP
Would have preferred Jones.
Oh wow
Ugh hate this dude but he can play. Thought kolek would cement backup gig.
Makes sense to use some roster spots on vet minimum players because itās an extra $3.1 mil we can include in trades at the deadline.
What is it with this team and signing old Sixers guards to vet minimums
[Also from Begley](https://x.com/ianbegley/status/1812992518260466106?s=46&t=8BUuhf5sSSIWD6Ho_DZiuQ)
https://preview.redd.it/bzou8xeaprcd1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9b29fa6e453ef1ba8a03931c7c8eb75030f1a978
Deuce is safe for now
Would have ultimately preferred to trade Deuce for Walker Kessler and then sign Tyus Jones to replace deuce
Mikal and Cam used to be teammates during the suns run to the finals so Iām sure bridges had a hand in recruiting him. Hate his ugly ass jump shot and stupid looking face but whatever, heās essentially our 3rd string Pg.
Leon collecting all the lefties like the infinity stones lol.
Payne played some good minutes for the Suns when they went to the finals. He brings depth and veteran presence for Kolek and Deuce. I remember one time years ago him and Russ did a pregame dance and someone from the opposing team tried to walk through them. Russ brushed him out of the way and continued dancing.
Not sure why everyone is saying 3rd PG or bench filler, this is Jalenās backup. Heās a legitimate PG where Deuce is more of a SG. I think Deuce will still get run as a PG but unless his ball handling and ability improves this offseason, Cam is going to be backing up Jalen and running offense for the bench mob when JB gets a rest.
I hate Cam Payne personally but I know him and Mikal were good friends on the Suns so I can learn to like him
Cam Payne is just skinny Elfrid Payton.
This is a really nice pickup
Could we not afford Tyus Jones cause that would have been a lot better
Playoff P
Iām assuming thibs is not gonna play kolek?
Does this mean that the arch dream is dead?
Your telling me you couldāve signed Tyus Jones but chose Cam Payne? Cmon man
All of a sudden we have 3 (and a half) serviceable point guards on the team. Deuce is 0.5. Last year we were parched for a backup one, and if Brunson ever went down we were worried shitless
If we could have gotten Tyus Jones for the same money and chose Payne it is a YUGE whiff. This front office has been damn near flawless, but Jones is a better player and the perfect pass-first, ball protecting backup we could use.
LOVE Tyus Jones. Idgaf about playoff experience.
He took Ryanās spot !
Don’t we need a backup center though?
I can see Payne chucking up ill advised threes like heās the star of the team and really costing the Knicks (if he ever plays, which hopefully he doesnāt)
I was praying for a tyus jones move but I think they didnāt want to waste sign and trade juice for him. Theyāre saving the TMLE/trade pieces for later
I would imagine some more thoughts in the signing are that a vet minimum pg whoās contract expires next summer is also a good trade piece come trade deadline.
From here on out, every move we make is probs looked at in with consideration of their tradeable value. We have our core pieces established so now we need guys that can be put together in a package with the picks we have left for a solid backup center
I wouldāve went with Tyus, dude can play
Hate him for playing with Philly but his game is nice he was a solid piece for the suns, great pick up he can handle the ball a lot better than Deuce