Cameron Payne developed in leaps and bounds during his time in Phoenix and even though he is about to embark on an exciting journey with the Spurs, he wonders what could have been with his old team.
The veteran guard spent four seasons with the Suns and recorded career highs in many key categories and gained a whole heap of experience after playing in 42 postseason games.
Payne will now be coached under the legendary Gregg Poppovich and be playing alongside the most hyped rookie since LeBron in Victor Wembanyama,
But he shared a bittersweet take about his old team on a recent Instagram live.
“I wish I was in Phoenix still,” Payne said on an IG live. “It is what it is, they’re trying to win the ‘chip, and I respect it. I feel like they could’ve won the ‘chip with me, though.”
In July, it was announced that Phoenix had traded Payne, along with 2025 second-round pick (via New Orleans) and cash considerations to San Antonio for a protected 2024 second-round pick.
The deal was reportedly made to clear up salary cap space and create a balance within the roster. Yet another change Phoenix made in their very busy offseason.
Around the same time as Payne was being shown out, the Suns signed Orlando center Bol Bol.
Before that, the franchise already agreed to terms with Yuta Watanabe, big men Chimezie Metu and Drew Eubanks, and wing Keita Bates-Diop.
In 174 games with Phoenix, the overall number 14 pick in the 2015 draft averaged 9.8 points, 4.8 assists and 2.6 rebounds per game.
He was also one of the prominent players that helped the team get back into the winner’s circle when he arrived in 2019-20 season as the Suns were only able to register 18 wins the season before.