Knicks move on from Payne; Brown sees bright side in Boston; Spurs cut Osifo
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The New York Knicks have removed veteran guard Cameron Payne from their offseason plans as the club prepares for a three-player battle in training camp, according to the New York Post.
Knicks
Payne, 31, joined New York last summer on a one-year minimum contract and logged 72 regular-season appearances, averaging 6.9 points and 2.8 assists while shooting 36 percent from deep. He opened the 2024 playoffs with 14 points and a plus-23 rating in Game 1 against Detroit but fell out of the rotation by the conference-final round.
With only one veteran-minimum slot available unless salary is shed, the Knicks will pit Malcolm Brogdon, Landry Shamet and Garrison Mathews against each other for the final roster spot. Payne will now look for a new team.
Celtics
In Boston, offseason departures and injuries have raised questions, yet Jaylen Brown downplayed concerns during an interview with Atlanta’s V-103 FM. “I know Boston, it looks gloomy right now … but it’s a lot to look forward to,” the All-Star guard said. Brown, 27, remains under contract on a $304 million supermax deal. Asked about someday joining the hometown Hawks, he responded, “I think my grandma would too,” but emphasized his current commitment to the Celtics.
Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs have waived forward Osayi Osifo, 25. Undrafted out of Jacksonville in 2023, Osifo played Summer League for San Antonio and spent last season with the G League’s Austin Spurs, where he averaged 7.3 points and 7.5 rebounds. If his agreement was an Exhibit 10, he could earn an $85,000 bonus by spending at least 60 days in Austin. The move leaves San Antonio with 20 players, one under the offseason limit.
Source: Hoops Wire
