Rumor: Future of Cameron Payne in Chicago uncertain amid talent concerns
Considered the key asset in the Bulls trade, Cameron Payne faces an uncertain future following his second Jones fracture and questions regarding his potential.
Few denied OKC won the trade which sent Cameron Payne, Anthony Morrow and Joffrey Lauvergne to the Bulls in exchange for Taj Gibson and Doug McDermott. Cut to present day and it’s looking like it was a typical case of larceny by Sam Presti. Case in point, of the five players involved in the trade only one is certain to begin this season with the same team.
Taj Gibson played a vital role for the OKC Thunder shoring up the front court and helping the squad close the season strong. Gibson’s departure wasn’t entirely unexpected and as a result OKC upgraded with the acquisition of Patrick Patterson. Gibson offered solid defense, but Patterson provides floor spacing, something the Thunder were in desperate need of. Patterson underwent arthroscopic knee surgery, but is expected to be available for training camp.
The second Bulls player coming over in the trade was Doug McDermott. The forward also offers floor spacing and is expected to play a pivotal reserve role this season.
Of the three players sent to Chicago, Lauvergne is now with the San Antonio Spurs, Morrow remains an unsigned free agent leaving just Payne with a designated roster spot. Cameron Payne was considered the key asset the Bulls earmarked when the trade initially occurred. Both sides cited Payne’s potential and felt his ceiling was untapped. Apparently, the Bulls’ feelings have changed dramatically since then.
A Payne in the …
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Assuming Chicago’s change of heart is tied to Payne’s repeated right foot injury woes, would be inaccurate. Specifically, Payne re-fractured his right foot. Consequently, Payne’s fracture is identical – to the same bone; the fifth metatarsal (Jones fracture). The Bulls reported the injury occurred on July 18th after which he spent 6 weeks in a walking boot. Because this treatment netted unsuccessful results, Payne is set to undergo surgery. This will keep Payne out of action presumably til some time in November.
Chicago’s revised position is based on a reassessment of the guard’s potential. To that end, the Bulls aren’t just rethinking Payne’s role, but his roster spot.
Rumblings out of Chicago via Joe Cowley’s Chicago Sun Times article dropped a bomb shell:
"“We knew the second practice [after he was acquired] that he couldn’t play at [an NBA] level,’’ the source said. “The only reason it took two practices was because we thought maybe it was nerves in the first one. “Any [Bulls] coach who says differently is lying. . . . We got ‘Garred’ on that one.’’The source was referring to general manager Gar Forman,"
Hence, for Westbrook’s former dance partner there is a certain irony to his constant foot troubles. Sadly, if rumors become reality, it seems Payne’s greatest claim to NBA fame may be his pre-dance ritual with Westbrook.
Meanwhile, the magician better known as Sam Presti sits in his office sporting an ear to ear grin as he plots his next coup.