The New York Knicks were just a couple of wins shy of getting to their first Finals since 1999, falling short to the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals.
Although the Knicks made a promising run last season, this didn't stop them from firing head coach Tom Thibodeau and bringing in a new face to help lead a talented group in hiring Mike Brown.
In doing so, New York kept their main core of top players, which is highlighted by Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Mikal Bridges, but the team decided to switch up its rotation in the back end. With this being said, players like Cameron Payne were left off the plans, and he decided to join an Eastern Conference rival.
Cameron Payne signs training camp deal with Indiana Pacers
According to the Indiana Pacers X account, they decided to sign journeyman guard Cameron Payne to a training camp deal.
We have signed guard Cam Payne to a training camp contract.
— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) October 9, 2025
In a subsequent move, we have waived guard Delon Wright.
Learn more: https://t.co/B2ZzdIDAkU pic.twitter.com/0CIAToDWGt
Payne, 31, took the old "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" saying to heart, signing with the team that eliminated the New York Knicks from the playoffs and ended their run to the NBA Finals last May.
The Pacers will be the fifth team Payne has joined in the past four seasons. Despite moving around a lot recently, the veteran guard brings valuable experience and leadership from successful teams. He was part of the Phoenix Suns' run to the NBA Finals in 2021 and contributed to the Knicks' postseason push last season.
In 2024-25, Payne appeared in 72 regular-season games in New York, averaging 6.9 points, 1.4 rebounds, and 2.8 assists while shooting 40.1% from the field and 36.3% from the three-point line.
MORE NBA NEWS:
- NBA teams could look to acquire Cavaliers big man Jarrett Allen
- Cavaliers' Darius Garland could miss games with injury setback
- 76ers provide huge Joel Embiid injury update while recovering from knee surgery