Partizan Mozzartbet Belgrade announced on Tuesday, December 23, that NBA veteran Cameron Payne has joined the club and will immediately begin training with the team. The 31-year-old point guard arrives after playing this season with the New York Knicks.
Payne, the 14th pick in the 2015 NBA Draft, has spent a decade in the league, appearing in 477 games with stints at Oklahoma City, Chicago, Cleveland, Phoenix, Milwaukee, Philadelphia, and New York. He averages 7.8 points, 3.2 assists, and 2.0 rebounds over his career.
During his tenure with Phoenix, Payne played a key backup role to Chris Paul, contributing to the Suns’ NBA Finals run. In 2025, he played 14 games for the Knicks, averaging 2.1 points in 7.3 minutes per contest. Despite limited recent NBA minutes, his experience is expected to stabilize Partizan’s backcourt.
The signing coincides with the arrival of new head coach Joan Penarroya, who officially took over Partizan on Tuesday. Penarroya, 56, won two FIBA Champions League titles and a FIBA Intercontinental Cup with Burgos, and his hiring signals a new direction for the Belgrade club following Zeljko Obradovic’s resignation.
Partizan currently sits 17th in the EuroLeague with a 6-11 record. Payne’s arrival is intended to complement the team’s core of Carlik Jones, Duane Washington, and Sterling Brown. Jones averages 11.4 points and 5.2 assists per game, Washington contributes 14.8 points with 2.5 rebounds, and Brown adds 13.8 points on 58.3% shooting.
The veteran guard is expected to bring leadership and playmaking, helping Partizan improve both offensive flow and transition defense. His integration will be key as the team prepares for upcoming EuroLeague fixtures, including a December 26 matchup against Maccabi Rapyd Tel Aviv.
The club has also restructured its front office, appointing Zarko Paspalj as sporting director to oversee long-term planning. Payne’s experience, combined with Penarroya’s coaching, represents Partizan’s effort to halt its slide and build consistency in domestic and European competitions.
