Knicks new point guard made surprising gesture to Jalen Brunson upon joining team | Sporting News

When Cameron Payne signed with the New York Knicks this summer, one of his first moves was to smooth over things with Jalen Brunson, according to Stefan Bondy of the New York Post.

Payne and Brunson had a small dust-up during the Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers‘ first-round series last year.

In the heat of a tough, competitive series, Brunson took exception to a hard foul by Payne and got in Payne’s face. The confrontation was broken up quickly and neither player truly seemed as if they were going to escalate it. 

Nonetheless, it was a heated moment between two players who became teammates months later.

Payne told Bondy that upon joining the Knicks, he quickly squashed any lingering beef with Brunson.

“First thing I did was talk to JB when I got here,” Payne said. “and he’s like, ‘It’s all love.’ So it’s all love.”

Even though Brunson had gotten over the play, he told Bondy that he still remembered it well.

“I remember that. Very vividly,” Brunson told.

“But that’s one of those players you hate to play against but love to have on your team.”

Cam Payne & Jalen Brunson now teammates pic.twitter.com/Y3f0Xqfz15

— New York Basketball (@NBA_NewYork) July 15, 2024

Now Payne is vying for time in what could be a crowded back-court, particularly off the bench. Payne is a high-energy reserve guard with a knack for scoring. His experience will presumably give him the edge to make Tom Thibodeau’s rotation.

However, Payne will also be competing with Miles McBride (who is likely a lock for a role), veteran sharpshooter Landry Shamet, and rookie point guard Tyler Kolek, who has been impressive in the preseason.

Payne told Bondy that he is happy to be in New York, which made an impression on him during last year’s playoffs.

“[The Knicks] gave me an opportunity, and I was like, ‘I like it,'” Payne said Sunday in his first comments as a Knick. “Obviously, I played them in the playoffs, so I kind of knew what they were about.”

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