Following the Hawks’ trip to Minnesota last season, Adreian Payne stayed behind.
The first-round pick was traded to the Timberwolves on Feb. 10 and appeared in the final 29 games of the season, including 22 starts. The forward returned to Atlanta Monday for the first time since being dealt from the team that selected him No. 15 overall in 2014.
“It was a surprise,” Payne said following morning shootaround. “I didn’t know it was happening. It happened. This is how it happens in the NBA.”
Payne has played sparingly early this season having been caught on a young team with depth in the frontcourt. He has appeared in three of the Timberwolves’ first five games, playing a total of 21 minutes, and has 11 points and six rebounds.
“They just want me to be a defender here,” Payne said. “That’s my role.”
Timberwolves interim coach Sam Mitchell said Payne is adapting.
“He’s doing fine,” was all Mitchell said when asked how Payne was doing. When asked about his role, Mitchell added only “Like a lot of young guys, he’s still learning and trying to get better.”
The Timberwolves picked up Payne’s third-year option last month.
Payne said he learned plenty in his limited time with the Hawks. He appeared in just three games and played a total of 19 minutes. He totaled five points and four rebounds. His time in Atlanta included several stints in the NBA Development League. The Hawks two second-round picks in 2014 - Lamar Patterson and Edy Tavares - are currently on the Hawks roster.
“Just being professional,” Payne said of those early lessons. “You learn a lot being here with the veterans. They were able to team me a lot about being professional, taking care of your body, get a routine, things like that.”
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