The Curious Case of Cameron Payne

[CFAN38]

Strange as it sound Murray St PG Cameron Payne is quickly become a major focal point of this years draft. Taking a quick look I can find that he has worked out for the Lakers #2, Knicks #4, Kings #6, Pacers #11. There has been a rumor floating around that he has a promise from OKC at #14. He also backed out of a workout with the Bucks #19.

Back in march draft express first listed him on a mock draft at #35. He has gradually worked his way to #14 in their last 3 mocks. Despite the rumor I personally think the Pacers are the team that has the promise to him. He worked out with them first and unless its a secrete he hasnt worked out for OKC. I also just think the fit is better in Indy. OKC would be drafting him as a backup where the Pacer would see him as the eventual starting PG.

The Lakers, Knicks and Kings make this interesting. LA and NYK would obviously be looking at him in a trade down situation. If his floor is #11 that means a team from #5-#10 is trying to get the #2 or #4 pick. At #2 the obvious target is the big who isnt drafted #1 the package that it would take to get Okafor or Towns seems like a stretch for a team to make especially if Payne is the trade down target, if Mudiay is the trade down and the lakers think they can get a vet and Mudiay then that makes sense. An example would be #2 to the magic for #5 (Mudiay) and Vucevic if by some chance Mudiay was off the board then the fall back plan could be to draft Payne. Doesnt seem like the best plan but its a more towards winning sooner.

At #4 it is a little more complicated Mudiay is the obvious choice but teams are reportedly high on winslow and Chad Ford has insisted that a few teams rank Prozingis as the #3 guy in this draft. If the Knicks are not blown away by their option at #4 maybe they trade down to 7,8,9 and see who they can get back for a vet in return. Maybe the Nuggets send them Faried + #7 for #4?

The Kings are also the Dark horse in this as they may just commit the draft day sin and draft for need. If Russell and Mudiay are off the board do they just settle for Payne? Or maybe they to are trying to shop the pick down to add a vet and fill a need.


Should be fun to watch play out       

[konkmv]

Payne is not what we need... i do not care where he goes

[Denis998]

Payne is not what we need... i do not care where he goes

If he does move up it means that another player will be available to us at 16 other than portis

[FreddieJ]

Kings don't really need a PG, Collison is solid and fits with Cousins/Gay, and formed a good statistical starting unit with them

Reading Kings message boards I don't think Mudiay/Payne are popular choices. I wouldn't be surprised to see a wing player drafted by them - Winslow/Johnson moving Gay to PF, or WCS

[fairweatherfan]

Kings don't really need a PG, Collison is solid and fits with Cousins/Gay, and formed a good statistical starting unit with them

Reading Kings message boards I don't think Mudiay/Payne are popular choices. I wouldn't be surprised to see a wing player drafted by them - Winslow/Johnson moving Gay to PF, or WCS

With as many PGs as the Kings have reportedly kicked the tires on, it seems likely that they don't consider Collison a good solution at the position.  Plus Karl inherited Collison and may prefer a guy who fits better with his style.  Doesn't mean they'll draft one but I think that's a position of emphasis for them this offseason.

[Tr1boy]

Payne avg 20 ppg in addition is a very good shooter and one of the best passing pgs from the draft. Good effort on the defensive end and a sweet 6'8 wingspan for a pg

I would take him if he dropped.

[TA9]

I'm very surprised by how fast Cameron has managed to climb the draft board in so little time.
No chance that he drops to us at #16 though, as I read somewhere that he reportedly got a promise from OKC at #14. 

EDIT: Just found the quote regarding the promise he may have received from OKC;

There’s been a report Cameron Payne has already received a “promise’’ from the Oklahoma City Thunder, who have the 14th pick. I asked Travis King, Payne’s agent, if that was indeed the case. “I can neither confirm nor deny that,’’ King said. Racine Journal-Times

[Boris Badenov]

I'm very surprised by how fast Cameron has managed to climb the draft board in so little time.
No chance that he drops to us at #16 though, as I read somewhere that he reportedly got a promise from OKC at #14. 

EDIT: Just found the quote regarding the promise he may have received from OKC;

There’s been a report Cameron Payne has already received a “promise’’ from the Oklahoma City Thunder, who have the 14th pick. I asked Travis King, Payne’s agent, if that was indeed the case. “I can neither confirm nor deny that,’’ King said. Racine Journal-Times

Has any agent ever said "yeah, he has a promise and that's why we're shutting him down" about any player?

I'm not being snarky. It's a serious question.