Two years ago, Phoenix Suns backup point guard Cameron Payne thrived as Chris Paul’s replacement.
With Paul limited with a shoulder injury in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs against the Los Angeles Lakers and later out with COVID-19 through the first two games of the Western Conference Finals, Payne stepped up. He had 29 points and 9 assists in Game 2 against the Clippers and was consistent with his speed and energy brought off the bench.
Last season, Payne had the best net rating among all NBA players who started more than five games in 2021-22 at 13.