Spurs guard Cameron Payne grew tremendously in his role as a backup point guard with the Suns over the last four seasons.
During his four-year stint in Phoenix, the veteran guard amassed career highs in multiple statistical categories, including three-point shooting percentage, games played, points per game, assists per game and games started.
In July, Phoenix traded Payne, a second-round pick and cash considerations to the Spurs for a protected second-round pick in 2024.
As Payne prepares to play for legendary coach Gregg Popovich and alongside rookie phenom Victor Wembanyama, the 29-year-old spoke on an Instagram live video on Thursday, sharing that he missed playing for his former team.
“Man I love Phoenix… I miss Phoenix already,” Payne said on the video. “I wish I was in Phoenix still but hey, it is where it is. They trynna win the chip and I respect it. I feel like they could’ve won a chip with me tho.”
"I miss Phoenix already... They trynna win the chip and I respect it. I feel like they could've won a chip with me tho."
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) August 10, 2023
Cam Payne on wanting to help the Suns win a championship on his IG Live 🫠 pic.twitter.com/BOM49OaqcM
Prior to Payne coming to Phoenix in the 2019–20 season, the Suns registered a dismal 18 wins in the previous campaign. Payne was one of several players who helped resurrect the franchise to prominence under former Suns coach Monty Williams, who is now the head coach of the Pistons after Phoenix fired him in May.
Payne is known for his bursts of energy off the bench and his ability to push the pace when on the court. Last season, he averaged 10.3 points (the third-highest mark of his career), 2.2 rebounds and 4.5 assists per contest while shooting 41.5% from the floor and 36.8% from the three-point range.
