Overview
- Marc Stein reported that EuroLeague club Partizan Belgrade showed serious interest in signing the free agent guard following Carlik Jones’ ankle injury and expected three-month absence.
- Basketball Insiders, citing league sources and Stein, says Payne has opted to stay stateside rather than sign overseas as he waits for another NBA chance.
- Payne signed with the Pacers on October 9 for training camp but was waived before the regular season after an underwhelming preseason; he played 72 games for the Knicks last season.
- In a separate move, Valencia Basket announced a one-year deal with forward Braxton Key after his preseason release from the Grizzlies.
- Shams Charania reports Sonia Raman has agreed to a multiyear contract to become the Seattle Storm’s head coach, and The Athletic published John Hollinger’s list of projected NBA breakout players.