As the regular season inches closer and closer, the Sacramento Kings have to get serious about signing a veteran point guard. That's where Cameron Payne comes in. The 11-year vet is rumored to be working out with the Kings and could be the exact player this roster needs.
While the Kings sometimes seem to be playing down the urgency of this situation, they are in a huge bind at point guard. They quite literally have one dedicated PG in rookie Darius Acuff Jr. After that, they have a couple of shooting guards who can kind of play the one, and that's it.
This presents a number of issues. It means that Acuff lacks a mentor, not to mention any serious backup on the bench. If he were to get injured for any length of time, the Kings would be up the creek without a paddle. It's also a dangerous scenario for Acuff's development.
There's no doubt that Acuff is top-tier talent and will be one of the best offensive players in the league. At the same time, he's still a rookie in need of proper development. Without a veteran point guard to help guide him early on, the Kings run the risk of sabotaging Acuff's growth.
The Kings need to bring the Payne
Reportedly, the Kings are holding workouts with a few select veterans they are interested in. Victor Oladipo is among that group. He has been frequently attached to Sacramento in recent weeks. It would be great to see him back in the league, but Oladipo is not a point guard.
On the other hand, Payne is. He's been playing professionally since 2015, primarily in the NBA but also internationally in China and in the EuroLeague. Most importantly, Payne is a natural point guard with experience as a reserve point guard. On top of that, he would be a superb mentor for Acuff.
Not only will Payne make a superb backup off the bench, but he has the depth of experience to help Acuff learn how to fill the role as a starter. Payne knows the ins and outs of being a point guard in the NBA and can guide Acuff into channeling his talent and athleticism into that role.
Beyond that, Payne will be able to keep the offense moving while Acuff learns how to lead it. He is the mentor Acuff needs to not only survive his rookie season but also thrive in the long term throughout his career. The Kings would be smart to sign Payne up, at least for this season.
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