76ers Contribute $875K to Bring Back Cam Payne

Veteran guard Payne returns to Sixers on one-year deal after playing overseas in Serbia

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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The Philadelphia 76ers are expected to sign veteran guard Cam Payne to a one-year contract after helping him negotiate a buyout from his overseas deal with Partizan Belgrade in Serbia. The Sixers are able to contribute up to $875,000 towards Payne's $1.75 million buyout, allowing him to return to the NBA after playing in Serbia since December. Payne previously played for the Sixers in 2024, averaging 9.3 points and 3.1 assists per game.

Why it matters

Payne's return to the Sixers provides additional backcourt depth behind star point guard Tyrese Maxey, who has led the league in minutes played before the All-Star break. The Sixers are hoping Payne can provide a scoring and playmaking boost off the bench as they make a push for the playoffs.

The details

In order to get Payne off his contract with Partizan Belgrade, the Sixers are able to contribute up to $875,000 towards the $1.75 million buyout. Payne is expected to sign a one-year deal with the Sixers, marking the second time in under two years the team has helped a player get out of an overseas contract after doing the same for Guerschon Yabusele last season.

  • Payne has been under contract with Partizan Belgrade in Serbia since December 2025.
  • The Sixers are expected to sign Payne to a one-year contract for the 2026-27 season.

The players

Cam Payne

A 31-year-old veteran guard who was the 14th overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft. Payne has played for several teams in his NBA career, including the Oklahoma City Thunder, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Phoenix Suns, Milwaukee Bucks, New York Knicks, and the Sixers.

Tyrese Maxey

The Sixers' starting point guard who has led the league in minutes played before the All-Star break in recent seasons.

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What they’re saying

“The Sixers are able to contribute a max of $875K to help Payne work on a buyout.”

— Marc Stein (Sporting News)

What’s next

It's unclear exactly how much playing time Cam Payne will receive with the Sixers, but the team is hoping he can provide a scoring and playmaking boost off the bench as they make a push for the playoffs.

The takeaway

The Sixers' willingness to help Cam Payne negotiate a buyout from his overseas contract shows their commitment to building a deep roster and providing support for their players, even those who have previously been on the team. This move could pay dividends if Payne is able to recapture the form he showed during his previous stint in Philadelphia.