Surprising Turn of Events For Spurs Recently-Acquired Cam Payne

The Phoenix Suns made a salary-saving move earlier in the summer, trading eight-year veteran guard Cam Payne to the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for a swap of second-rounders. But the Spurs also received $5.7M cash in the deal, and now we know why.

The San Antonio Spurs are waiving veteran guard Cam Payne, sources tell ESPN. Payne recently arrived in trade from Suns and now gets a chance to join a contending team that can give him a bigger role. pic.twitter.com/cA13XSxp3j
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) September 11, 2023

Faced with a roster crunch, the Spurs have waived the 29-year-old veteran, and Payne is now available for teams to claim off waivers, with his $6.5M expiring contract going with him to any club that does so.

However, if he clears waivers (a more likely scenario), he will become a free agent, and free to work out a deal with any team. In addition, the Spurs will have to pick up his $6.5M salary. That's where that $5.7M received in the trade comes in handy to help cover a large chunk of that contract they'll have to ea.

Although he is set to become a free agent, he will not be able to re-sign with Phoenix, due to league rules.

In 48 games for the Suns last season, Payne had a nice year as a backup point to Chris Paul, posting 10.3 points, 4.5 assists, and 2.2 rebounds in 20.2 minutes per night, right around his four-year marks with Phoenix.

Over the course of his career, he's averaged 8.0 points, 3.4 assists and 36% shooting from long distance. He'll make a nice rotation piece for a contending somewhere looking to fill out their roster with a solid guard.

Photo: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports