Dallas Mavericks: Cameron Payne signs with the Raptors

Dallas Mavericks summer league standout Cameron Payne agreed to a two-year partially guaranteed deal with the Raptors according to Shams Charania.

The Dallas Mavericks took a strong defensive-minded team to the Las Vegas Summer League this year. They had a mix of promising rookies and veterans looking for another chance in the NBA. That allowed the Mavs to qualify for the single-elimination tournament, but they fell to the Timberwolves in the quarterfinals.

One of Dallas’ bright spots was Cameron Payne. The 24-year-old point guard has four seasons of NBA experience. Payne bounced around since being a lottery pick in 2015, though. He was traded to the Bulls in 2017, and Chicago waived him in Jan. 2019. Payne had a brief stint with the Cavaliers last season as well.

That gave the point guard something to prove in summer league. He did it. In three games, Payne averaged 20.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 2.7 steals in 28.9 minutes per game. He shot 51.4 percent from the field and 45.8 percent on his 3-pointers as well.

Cameron Payne parlayed that brief stint with the Dallas Mavericks into another NBA contract. Shams Charania reported that he agreed to a deal with the Toronto Raptors. The contract is only partially guaranteed, so Payne will have more work to do during training camp to stick on their roster.

He earned another shot with his performance in Vegas.

The Mavericks lacked the opportunity, though. Luka Doncic will be their lead ball-handler. They have Delon Wright, Jalen Brunson, and J.J. Barea all fighting for minutes at the point guard spot. That left no room for Payne.

It was fun watching him ball out in summer league, though. Payne’s massive 32-point performance against the Kings was impressive. Hopefully, he makes the most of his new opportunity with the Raptors.

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