Payne is the original first-round point guard out of Murray State, helping to pave the way for Ja Morant. He began the year with the Chicago Bulls, with whom he played in 31 games and picked up 12 starts. Payne averaged 17.3 minutes per contest with Chicago, notching 5.7 points and 2.7 assists per contest. He also made 41.1 percent of his field goals and 88.0 percent of his free throws. He tallied a season-high 21 points -- all on three-pointers -- in a win over the Hornets on Oct. 24. In January, Payne was waived by the Bulls. He signed a 10-day contract with the Cavaliers a few days later, and then signed a second 10-day deal with the Cavs after that one expired. Payne appeared in nine games with Cleveland, including one start. His minutes increased from his time with Chicago, as Payne played 19.6 minutes per night. Payne also attempted nearly one more three per-pointer game on average and made 36.0 percent of his shots from beyond the arc with the Cavs. Accordingly, his scoring output jumped to 8.2 points per contest.

Payne was limited to just 25 games (14 starts) in an injury-shortened 2017-2018 season in Chicago. A foot surgery in September delayed the start of his year until Feb. 22, and the Bulls eased him into action the rest of the season. Following 11 appearances off the bench, the Murray State product made his first start of the season on March 17. He then remained in the starting lineup through the end of the year. Payne still managed to set new career bests with 23.3 minutes and 8.8 points per game. In his 14 starts, he increased those rates to 26.5 minutes and 9.4 points per game. Payne's season-high in scoring was 17 points, a mark he reached twice. He dished out a season-high 10 assists against Cleveland in that March 17 game. That was also his only double-double of the season, as he scored 13 points in the contest. Payne grabbed a season-high eight rebounds against Houston on March 27.