The Philadelphia 76ers are reuniting with a former lottery pick guard on a contract that will run through the remainder of the season.
The Philadelphia 76ers are addressing their need for another guard.
The 76ers are signing 10-year NBA veteran guard Cameron Payne to a contract for the remainder of the season, according to Marc Stein.
"Cam Payne is signing a rest-of-the-season deal to join the 76ers, league sources say," Stein posted to X. "It has been reported in Europe that the veteran guard is securing a buyout from Partizan Belgrade in Serbia to come back to the NBA."
Payne has not appeared in the NBA this season, as he's spent the last several months overseas playing with Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade. He averaged 12.4 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 3.9 assists on 33.3% from three-point range in 10 games with Partizan Mozzart.
He last played in the NBA during the 2024-2025 season with the New York Knicks, where he averaged 6.9 points and 2.8 assists on 40.1% shooting. Prior to that stint with the Knicks, Payne was dealt from the Milwaukee Bucks to Philadelphia at the 2024 trade deadline.
He spent 31 games with the 76ers, recording 9.3 points and 3.1 assists per game.
The only reason the Sixers have a hole to address in the backcourt is because the front office decided to "sell high" on sophomore guard Jared McCain. He was dealt to the Oklahoma City Thunder at this year's trade deadline in exchange for a 2026 Houston Rockets first-round pick along with three second-round picks.
McCain is already making his impact felt in Oklahoma City, tallying 13 points in a loss to the Bucks on Feb. 12.
One aspect of McCain's skillset that Payne can successfully replicate is outside shooting. The former is shooting 38.3% from three-point range this season while the latter knocked down 36.3% of his shots from the arc with the Knicks in the 2024-25 season.
In Payne's best year (2021-2022), he averaged 10.8 points and 4.9 assists on 40.9% shooting for the Phoenix Suns. It's worth noting the former lottery pick will not offer much support on the defensive end of the floor.
While Payne does not hold the same level of potential as McCain, he is a solid backup with a heavy amount of postseason experience.
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