Reports say that just months after the Spurs acquired Cameron Payne in a trade with the Wave and Suns
Cameron Payne will not be taking the court with the San Antonio Spurs this fall after all.
The Spurs waived the veteran guard on Monday, nearly two months after they first acquired him in a tradewith the Phoenix Suns, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
Payne averaged 10.3 points, 4.5 assists, and 2.2 rebounds in Phoenix last season, his fourth with the Suns. He thenmoved to the Spurs in Julyalong with a second-round draft pick and cash. In exchange, the Suns received a future second-round pick.
The deal to Phoenix was the latest the franchise made this summer. The Suns sent Chris Paul and Landry Shamet to the Washington Wizards, but Paul eventually joined the Golden State Warriors in exchange for Bradley Beal. The Suns also acquiredVolvoll from the Orlando Magic,and
Paine was traded to the New York Yankees in exchange for a free agent.
Payne is set to enter his ninth season in the league this fall, and he could have been a solid veteran presence for the Spurs and Victor Wembanyama - whom the team drafted first overall earlier this summer. Wembanyama is one of the most promising players in league history, but it is unclear how well the Spurs will do this season with him. They went just 22-60 last season and have not made the playoffs since 2019.
Cam Payne averaged 10.3 points and 4.5 assists for Phoenix last season. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)The Spurs currently have 17 players on guaranteed contracts and need to waive two more before the season starts. Payne had a $6.5 million expiring contract.
It is unclear where Payne will end up, although he is not eligible to sign with the Suns immediately. However, it is unlikely that he will.