Spurs Have New 'Spark Plug' in Suns Ex Cam Payne

Former Phoenix Suns guard Cam Payne is expected to have a big impact on the San Antonio Spurs this season.

The San Antonio Spurs have a new face in the backcourt after trading for Phoenix Suns guard Cam Payne over the weekend.

Payne, 28, is expected to play a key role for the Spurs off the bench, allowing Tre Jones to remain as the starting point guard.

In order to learn more about Payne, we spoke with Inside the Suns publisher Donnie Druin.

1. Cam Payne could slot in as the San Antonio Spurs backup point guard this season. What does he bring to that role?

Payne brings nearly ten years of experience in the league with him to San Antonio, on top of already settling into a backup point guard role for most of that time. I think the Spurs are getting a high-energy player that can provide a spark, has recently played on winning teams and knows exactly where he fits on the roster.

2. What are Payne's strengths?

Payne's impact first begins in the locker room. Everybody in Phoenix loved him and he did a great job of amping his teammates before and during games. He was very much a spark plug for the Suns and that should carry over into San Antonio. He'll be great in the locker room. Coming off the bench, Payne excels at pushing the pace of a game and is able to run with the best of them, which bodes well for when the Spurs want to press the fastbreak. Though he isn't exactly a pristine finisher at the rim, he does find himself driving to the basket often. His shooting isn't elite but percentages of 41.5% from the field and 36.8% from three last season shows he's capable of knocking down shots.

3. What are Payne's weaknesses?

Sometimes Payne tries to force things on the offensive end, which has led to plenty of turnovers and sometimes contested shots that are better left for somebody else. Sometimes his free throw shooting has been inconsistent and his size has led to plenty of defensive mismatches that bigger guards will indeed take advantage of.

4. What's one thing that fans should know about Payne without looking at a box score?

I think Spurs fans will love Payne. He always played hard for his team and that's something everybody here respected. He's a fun, energetic guy that will find a way to do some crazy dances and get fans/teammates hype while also pouring in a good performance on occasion. Fun doesn't show up in the box score but it will help make the team more enjoyable, for sure.

5. How do you think Payne will perform in San Antonio?

Payne eventually turned himself into a double-digit scoring guy, and I think that will carry over into San Antonio. I think Gregg Popovich can help turn Payne into a smarter basketball player while keeping the same level of intensity, but I truly don't see Payne's level of play swaying one way or another - he should be close to the same guy everybody saw in Phoenix, especially since he'll still be in a backup role. 

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You can follow Jeremy Brener on Twitter @JeremyBrener.

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