Apr 25, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Cameron Payne (22) reacts to his three pointer against the New York Knicks during the second quarter of game three of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Bill Streicher
CAMDEN – Word from his agent got to Cam Payne while he was sitting on the bench watching his KK Partizan team play in Belgrade, Serbia. He was told that the NBA wanted him back, particularly the Philadelphia 76ers, and that he should pack up his bags following the game.
The affable Payne was more than happy, and a bit surprised, to return to the league where he has played 477 games over 10 seasons, and to a team he suited up for in 31 games during the 2023-24 season. The Sixers made his signing official Wednesday, and he practiced with the team following a long day of travel.
“It’s really good I came to a familiar team,” said Payne, who flew from Serbia to Amsterdam, then Amsterdam to Philly on Tuesday before immediately meeting with the Sixers for a physical.
“I went to Partizan just to play there. Obviously I wanted to get back, but all my focus was there. I felt like sometimes when your focus is in the right place, things like this happen. I was really locked in there, and me playing there got me the looks to come back here. I don’t know how I keep finding a way to get back. I guess the NBA is still watching. If you still take your game seriously, do the right things, play the right way, they’re still looking. It’s pretty cool.”
Payne, 31, will be counted on to bolster a backcourt thinned by the trade of Jared McCain just before the trade deadline. After starters Tyrese Maxey and rookie VJ Edgecombe, Quentin Grimes was the only guard available on Nick Nurse’s bench. Payne’s energy is always beneficial, as is his ability to take some minutes away from Maxey and Edgecombe, who have logged many of them so far this season.Â
“Cam, we know him,” said Nick Nurse. “We’ve got a veteran ball handler, a guy who’s played some big games. I think we’ve seen Cam provide speed, energy, three-point shooting, run some pick and roll, get some layups here and there. A really good piece for us. I think he fits. I really liked him when he was here. I think we need a little backup, backup point guard spot and he fits it pretty good. You forget how fast he is. Good to see him. He’s got a good attitude. It looked like he’s in a really good rhythm. He’s been playing at a really high level over there. Not going to take much time to get him in a rhythm and get him playing.”
In Serbia, Payne averaged 11.6 points per game, to go with 3.8 assists in 21.9 minutes.
“Being the focal point, running the offense, running the show,” was Payne’s role in Serbia, he said. “It really hasn’t been that way since college. It was cool to actually get back in that role of playing. Now that I’m coming back here and being a backup, you kind of have that same ownership of the second unit. You’ve got to run the team, still. It was kind of cool to be able to go over there and just play and actually have a real role, like they counting on you, for real.
“It was lit. I’m all about energy, and their fans are unbelievable. Their fans come out for every game and it’s packed wall to wall. They got flares in there. It was definitely a different experience. A different game, too. I compare it to college basketball a little bit. I liked it. I had a good time.”
Now comes the seriousness of helping the Sixers improve upon their playoff standings.
“Just the plays. They added a few different sets, changed some things around,” said Payne on what Wednesday entailed. “Just having a little package when I go in there tomorrow to play. Just have some plays the players are familiar with that I can easily call. Whatever they need me to do. I’m just energy. I’m coming here to do my job, whatever it is. However many minutes I get, I go out and play 110 percent. Increase the lead or keep the lead. That’s always my job.”