Grading the Milwaukee Bucks’ eye-catching signing of Cameron Payne

MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 02: Cameron Payne #15 of the Milwaukee Bucks poses for portraits during media day on October 02, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - OCTOBER 02: Cameron Payne #15 of the Milwaukee Bucks poses for portraits during media day on October 02, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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Milwaukee Bucks: Jrue Holiday, Phoenix Suns: Cameron Payne
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – MARCH 06 (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /

Cameron Payne’s long-term outlook with the Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks have been a revolving door for backup point guards over the past few years, as they’ve cycled through names such as George Hill (twice), Jeff Teague, and Jevon Carter. Payne will be the next name to get a crack at it, and while he’s on a one-year deal, there is certainly potential for him to become the backup point guard long-term if he can perform well this season.

Payne is on the ultimate prove-it deal. Having signed a minimum deal with a contender, the guard will look to showcase his worth under the bright lights in hopes of inking a more lucrative contract next off-season, whether that’s in Milwaukee or elsewhere. Payne could very well take the Carter route and play on a cheap deal for one year before getting a huge raise from another team.

Ultimately, if he plays well and meshes with the other players, the Bucks would likely love to keep Payne around and put the constant backup point guard changes to rest for a while. It all hinges on how Payne plays on this one-year deal, but as mentioned previously, he’s got a golden opportunity to showcase what he brings as the clear-cut backup point guard on this roster.

He’s just 29 years old, so Payne has plenty of good basketball left to be played in his NBA career.