The Indiana Pacers are set to part ways with veteran point guard Cameron Payne, according to NBA insider Michael Scotto of HoopsHype. Scotto reported that the franchise plans to waive the 31-year-old after signing him earlier this month.
Payne joined Indiana on October 9, hoping to add experience and depth to the backcourt rotation. However, his short preseason stint did not lead to a long-term role.
Across two preseason appearances against San Antonio, Payne averaged 10 points and 2 assists in limited minutes while shooting 35.4 percent from the field. Despite flashes of his outside touch, the Pacers are opting to move in a different direction ahead of the regular season.
Payne, originally drafted 14th overall by the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2015, has carved out a lengthy NBA career as a reliable reserve guard. Over 10 seasons, he has played for seven teams — the Thunder, Bulls, Cavaliers, Suns, Bucks, Sixers, and Knicks — averaging 7.8 points and 3.2 assists in 17.5 minutes per game.
His best stretch came during his tenure with the Phoenix Suns, where he contributed to multiple playoff runs, including the team’s trip to the 2021 NBA Finals. That postseason, he averaged 9.3 points and 3.2 assists in 22 appearances.
In the 2024–25 season, Payne split time with the New York Knicks, averaging 6.9 points and 2.8 assists across 72 games while shooting 36.3 percent from beyond the arc.
