NY Knicks: Predicting the starting lineup as camp opens

Predicting the Knicks’ starting point guard: Elfrid Payton

You knew it was a slow weekend for free agent signings by the Knicks when Elfrid Payton generated the most buzz. And no, it wasn’t the good kind of buzz, it was mostly moans and groans by fans using Twitter as an outlet to express their frustration.

Payton isn’t a bad player. Arguments can be made that he was a net positive for the Knicks last season – look at the on/off stats – but bringing the Scott Perry darling back to New York received criticism more for what he represents: another year without a bona-fide lead point guard.

Again, things can change. Leon Rose could be working the phones as you read this, and Payton might turn into the back-up point guard, which changes how you evaluate him on this roster.

But right now, he is probably the starter. A case could be made for Dennis Smith Jr. Thibodeau reportedly likes him. If you squint really hard you can see a little Derrick Rose in his game.

However, Payton is the better player, until Smith Jr. can prove otherwise. And by now, you might be screaming, What about Frank Ntilikina?! 

Ntilikina is the wild card. If he can prove to be a little more reliable with his shot (how many Knicks players can we say that about?) than he becomes a great fit in many different lineup combinations.

But right now, I think the starting job is Payton’s to lose.