Chicago Bulls point guard Cameron Payne is expected to be out for a few months. Payne underwent surgery on Wednesday to repair another foot injury. He again fractured the fifth metatarsal in his right foot while working out back in July. At first, the Bulls opted for Payne to wear a boot and let it heal naturally. That plan was unsuccessful, which led to Payne needing a medical procedure.
The Bulls acquired Payne last season through a multiple-player trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder. In 11 regular season games for Chicago, he was underwhelming.
The 23-year-old averaged 4.9 points, 1.5 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per contest. He only saw action in one outing during the postseason and was on the floor for just four minutes. It is uncertain at this point if the Bulls will hold on to Payne, who is their last option as point guard. They have Kris Dunn and Jerian Grant who may be enough at the position. Dunn, who came from the Minnesota Timberwolves, is expected to start, while Grant is likely the main backup.
Repetitive Payne
As mentioned, this is not the first time Payne is dealing with this foot woe. It was in July of 2016 when the Bulls guard first fractured the fifth metatarsal in his right foot. He was still with the Thunder then. Payne had a speedy recovery during that time and was able to participate in Oklahoma City's training camp.
Unfortunately, in a scrimmage he fractured the foot bone again. He ended up sitting out the first two months of the 2016-17 season. Payne made his season debut in January and played in 20 games before the Thunder shipped him to Chicago.
Trail Blazers waive Andrew Nicholson
In other NBA news, the Portland Trail Blazers parted ways with Andrew Nicholson.
According to reports, the Blazers waived him using the stretch provision, a move that will be beneficial to their salary cap. Portland added the forward in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets last July. The Blazers gave up guard Allen Crabbe for Nicholson.
Ahead of his uneventful stop in Portland, Nicholson suited up for the Orlando Magic, Washington Wizards, and the Nets.
The 29-year-old spent the majority of his career with the Magic, who selected him as the 19th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft. His best year in the league was during his rookie season where he averaged a career-best 7.8 points per outing. With the Blazers letting him go, Nicholson is now a free agent, and teams in need of a big man can sign him.
