The Sixers made some noise on Monday with a few roster tweaks, and one move in particular caught the eye of Knicks forward Josh Hart. His reaction? Short, sweet, and straight from the heart: “Cam Payne!”
The excitement wasn’t about a Knicks acquisition-it was about a former teammate finding his way back to the league. Cam Payne, a veteran guard who spent a season in New York, is on track to rejoin the Sixers after a brief stint overseas. And while he’s landing with a direct rival, Hart’s reaction made one thing clear: the bond between former teammates runs deeper than team colors.
Payne’s NBA journey has been nothing if not winding. After signing a one-year deal with the Knicks in the 2024 offseason, he carved out a solid role off the bench.
He appeared in a career-high 72 games, averaging 15.1 minutes per contest. His 6.9 points per game and 36% shooting from beyond the arc gave New York a steady hand in the second unit-nothing flashy, but dependable.
The kind of veteran presence every playoff-hopeful team needs.
Before his time in the Garden, Payne had a 31-game run with the Sixers, arriving in Philly at the 2024 trade deadline following a short stop in Milwaukee. That stint was brief, but it clearly left enough of an impression for the Sixers to circle back.
This past preseason, Payne tried to stick with the Pacers but was cut before opening night. From there, he took his game to Serbia, showing the kind of resilience that’s defined his career. Now, after negotiating a buyout with his European club, he’s headed back to the NBA-back to Philly.
And while the Sixers and Knicks have already wrapped up their four regular-season matchups, there’s always the possibility of a postseason reunion. Should the two teams cross paths in the playoffs, Payne could find himself facing off against his most recent squad. Until then, he’ll look to bring depth and experience to a Sixers backcourt that’s still finding its rhythm.
For Hart, it’s not about rivalries-it’s about seeing a former teammate back where he belongs. And for Payne, it’s another chapter in a career that’s been defined by perseverance, adaptability, and a knack for making the most of every opportunity.