If the Suns can’t pull out a win in Milwaukee in Recreation 6 at Fiserv Discussion board on Tuesday evening, their southpaw backup level guard Cam Payne faces an unsure path again to The Valley of The Solar.
The Murray State product will likely be an unrestricted free agent and weaved such a candy playoff run, league sources really feel he might have earned a brand new contract beginning at $10 million-$12 million a 12 months.
A younger journeyman who’s already together with his fourth NBA group and had a stint in China, Payne turns 27 on Aug. 8.
If All-Star starter Chris Paul doesn’t choose out and takes the $44 million he has coming, the Suns are going to be hard-pressed to place that a lot wage into the purpose guard place.
If Paul opts out and takes a three-year deal at much less per season, Payne has a greater probability of returning.
The Suns must try and re-sign Payne, who averaged 8.4 factors within the common season, shot 44.3 p.c from 3-point land and 89 p.c from the free-throw line.
Payne additionally led the Suns to 2 victories within the first two video games of the Western Convention finals when Paul was out due to a optimistic COVID-19 check. He’s a slick, speedy penetrator and has improved his long-range sport.
The Knicks are in search of a place to begin guard, and Payne is an intriguing cheaper choice however a threat since he’s by no means began full time. Payne might make a pleasant tandem with veteran Derrick Rose as his backup and tutor.
That pairing would enable Payne to play less-than-starter minutes. Rose can also be a free agent, and Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau is anticipated to wish to convey him again.
Payne was drafted by the Thunder at No. 14 within the 2016 draft. His Suns teammate Devin Booker was taken one spot forward at 13.
On Tuesday morning, Payne was simply interested by maintaining the dream journey going and a Thursday Recreation 7 within the desert. Payne stated the Suns had misplaced three straight video games to the Bucks to fall behind 2-3 as a result of in addition they misplaced their joie de vivre.
“The primary a part of the sequence, we obtained away from having enjoyable,’’ Payne stated on the morning shootaround Tuesday in Milwaukee. “[Tuesday] we’re simply going to have enjoyable. Having enjoyable is without doubt one of the greatest keys greater than any key we’ve got. I really feel we’ve been too severe and on edge about the whole lot as an alternative of enjoyable and enjoying. That’s after we’re higher.’’
It’s a brand new trigger for the Suns’ latest demise. Most observers have seen the Bucks elevate their degree to new heights — with their Large 3 of Giannis Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton and level guard Jrue Vacation all enjoying out of their minds.
The Suns blew a 16-point lead within the Recreation 4 loss after which almost rallied to steal Recreation 5 by roaring again from 14 factors down after three quarters.
“As Coach [Monty Williams] says, ‘Simply go hoop,’ ’’ Payne stated. “We want that mentality [Tuesday night]. We’re going to have that mentality. We all know it’s the NBA Finals and elimination sport, however we’ve got to play free and collectively and like our possibilities.’’
Payne has shot simply 25 p.c from 3 and 50 p.c from the free-throw line within the first 5 video games. He’s been a greater 3-point shooter than that every one season. In opposition to the Lakers within the first-round victory, Payne shot 42.3 p.c from 3.
This Suns’ emergence after being a non-playoff group for 10 straight years truly began in the course of the 2020 restart within the Disney World bubble. The Suns tore off an 8-0 report there however nonetheless missed out on the playoffs by a hair. Staving off elimination Tuesday is the strain the Suns additionally felt in Orlando.
“We all know what‘s at stake,’’ Payne stated. “Like within the bubble, we knew we needed to win eight video games to have a possibility. We went in and located a approach each sport. Nobody gave us an opportunity within the bubble. That’s what we’ve got to do [Tuesday]. Play although the ups and downs, discover a technique to keep poised amid adversity and return dwelling and get one within the Valley.’’
If not, Payne could also be leaving the Valley very quickly.
