Seemingly, the Philadelphia 76ers had succumbed to another season of mediocrity after confirming Jared McCain's departure to the Oklahoma City Thunder. However, they may have finally found an option from the bench who can provide a scoring punch that they desperately crave. The Sixers and Partizan Belgrade have reportedly been working on a buyout package that would see Cameron Payne return to his former team for the rest of the season, according to NBA correspondent Marc Stein.
Cam Payne is signing a rest-of-the-season deal to join the 76ers, league sources say.
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 16, 2026
It has been reported in Europe that the veteran guard is securing a buyout from Partizan Belgrade in Serbia to come back to the NBA.
Before the McCain trade came to fruition, the future of the franchise's championship ambitions appeared bleak. A lack of scoring output from the secondary unit (30.4 points per game) was becoming a problem for the 76ers as they looked to lock horns with their fiercest foes in the Eastern Conference after the All-Star break. Now, the Sixers' front office may have found a reasonable solution to their self-inflicted issue.
Payne's positive production is exactly what Philadelphia requires
Is Cameron Payne the blockbuster signing that the Sixers fan base was praying would come through the door at the trade deadline? To be brutally honest, no. Nevertheless, what the veteran brings is an offensive option from the bench who can space the floor, and most importantly, has worked in a Nick Nurse system alongside superstar Joel Embiid in the past.
During the 2023-24 season, Payne was traded to Philadelphia from the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Patrick Beverley and the Bucks' 2027 second-round pick. Throughout this stint with the Sixers, he chalked up 9.3 points and 2.6 assists per game, while averaging around 19 minutes on the floor.
Payne has impressed this season for Partizan in the EuroLeague -- Europe's most prestigious basketball competition. The dangerous guard has recorded 12.4 points, 3.9 assists, and 1.2 steals per game, scoring a season-high 19 points against Hapoel IBI Tel Aviv.
Of course, the former Sixers veteran has exhibited this level of performance from a starting position at Partizan. It is fair to say he would not have the same role or responsibility in a roster that boasts devastating frontcourt options such as Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe. Payne will have to settle for a rotational role that will restrict his minutes on the court -- especially when Quentin Grimes returns to action after an illness has limited his availability over recent games.
No matter what a fan's perception of Cameron Payne in the past, this reported acquisition can only be seen as a win at this point. The Philadelphia 76ers currently have a very limited pool of players to choose from, so identifying a bench scorer who also has experience playing alongside their star should be considered a smart move by the front office