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Summary

Payton is a somewhat polarizing player. In the '18-'19 season, the Pelicans truly struggled without, but there were differing opinions about who that said more about - Payton or the Pelicans. Skeptics of Payton believed that if the Pelicans needed him to stay afloat, than they had much bigger problems than just missing their point guard. While that was probably true, Payton appeared to have at least a somewhat significant market as a free agent last summer, getting a good contract from the Knicks. And while his competition did not step up in any meaningful way, Payton played better than Frank Ntilikina and Dennis Smith, Jr., taking the mantle as the starting point guard.

 

It's easy to look at Payton and believe that he is putting up empty stats. Despite collecting a solid number of triple doubles, Payton has never played for a competitive team. His lack of a jump shot as made many write him off, especially considering how important that it is for any perimeter player, unless one has the elite physicality of players like Giannis Antetokounmpo or Ben Simmons. However, I would be interested to see if Payton could make plays in the playoffs, without taking too much off the table from his lack of efficiency.

 

There's also the issue of Payton's fit with RJ Barrett. The Knicks front office deservingly received a lot of criticism for not surrounding Barrett with enough shooting, and starting Payton next to Barrett only adds to those issues. If Barrett is best with the ball in his hands, there's not much of a role for Payton on the offensive end.

 

Cap Considerations

Payton's $8 million salary for 2020-2021 has only $1 million guaranteed, so he may be waived by the Knicks in order increase their cap space. If they waive Payton, they will have no form of his Bird rights, and would have to use cap space to re-sign him, or he would need to return on a minimum contract.

 

Other teams will have multiple ways to sign Payton as even teams without cap space could possibly use any of the Non-Taxpayer, Taxpayer, or possibly even the Room Mid-Level Exception to sign him. 

Potential Teams: Timberwolves, Knicks, Raptors, Pistons, Hawks

Predicted Contract: Not waived ($8 million)

If waived: 1-year, $6 million with the Timberwolves

Actual Contract: 1-year, $4.8 million with the Knicks

The Knicks waived Payton, but were still able to re-sign him at a smaller number when nobody claimed Payton off waivers.

Last updated: 12/31/2020

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