Former Phoenix Suns General Manager Arrested

PHOENIX – TMZ reports that former Phoenix Suns guard Cameron Payne was arrested in Scottsdale on Friday morning.

“According to Scottsdale Police, authorities were called at approximately 2:44 a.m. to investigate a disturbance in Scottsdale – and came into contact with Payne and another individual,” the report said.

“It is unclear what exactly happened next – police did not provide further details – although the SPD says Payne was arrested at the scene and detained for refusing to give his real name and for making false statements to police.

“We were informed that the 29-year-old NBA player was released from custody a short time later.”

Payne will be an unrestricted free agent this summer after recently playing for the Philadelphia 76ers.

Payne was a key part of the coveted Suns teams that made waves in the NBA’s COVID bubble before a run to the 2021 NBA Finals rocked the Valley. He operated as a backup point guard behind Chris Paul and was often viewed as a spark on the court when Phoenix needed him due to his ability to push the tempo on offense.

Payne was traded to the San Antonio Spurs last summer before being ultimately released in September. Payne then signed as a free agent with the Milwaukee Bucks before being traded to the 76ers just before the NBA trade deadline.

Payne had a salary cap hit of just over $2 million last year and averaged 9.3 points per night during the 2023-24 season.