Why Suns Can't Sign PG Cameron Payne

Plenty of people want a reunion between the Phoenix Suns and Cameron Payne, but the Suns can't immediately sign him.

Cameron Payne was a beloved member of the Phoenix Suns roster for three seasons before he was ultimately traded to the San Antonio Spurs over the summer. 

With Bradley Beal and Jordan Goodwin arriving from the Washington Wizards, Payne's presence was no longer needed, and he was shipped with a 2025 second-round pick and cash considerations to San Antonio for a 2024 second-round pick.

Payne didn't stay very long in San Antonio, as the Spurs reportedly waived him today. 

Plenty of fans on social media have speculated a potential reunion between the two sides. Payne wouldn't mind that, as he was fairly upset about leaving the Suns.

“Man, I love Phoenix, bro, I miss Phoenix already,” Payne said on Instagram live shortly after being traded.

“I wish I was in Phoenix still but hey, it is where it is, man. They’re trying to win a chip and I respect it. I feel like they could’ve won a chip with me though 'cause like, I’m tough.”

However, a reunion isn't a possibility simply because NBA rules prevent it. 

I’ll just respond now / No reunion coming. Couldn’t bring him back even if they wanted to. https://t.co/gUuxvnOwh1

— John Gambadoro (@Gambo987) September 11, 2023

From CBA FAQ:

"A team cannot reacquire a player it traded away during the same season (a season for this purpose being defined as starting on the first day of the regular season and ending on the last day of the Finals). If the player was traded between seasons (i.e., from the first day after the Finals to the last day prior to the start of the next regular season), it cannot reacquire the player prior to the end of the next season. If he is waived by his new team, then he cannot re-sign with his original team until the one-year anniversary of the trade, or until the July 1 following the end of his contract, whichever comes first. However, if a team trades a player's draft rights, it can reacquire the player during the same season."

Payne can't sign with Phoenix - he would have to land with another team and then get waived by them again for him to become eligible to play for the Suns this year. It's likely the team doesn't want him back, either.