New York Knicks: 3 Elfrid Payton trades to consider

Elfrid Payton for Cory Joseph and a future 2nd 

With recent draftees Tyrese Haliburton, Jahmi’us Ramsey and Robert Woodard II, it seems like new Kings GM Monte McNair wants the team to get younger, so therefore, Cory Joseph is slowly becoming the odd-man out in the guard rotation behind Buddy Hield and De’Aaron Fox.

Due to the fact that Joseph is on a less than ideal contract, I believe he can be had for the cheap, and Elfrid Payton fits that criteria. Including this season, Joseph is on a 2-year, $12 million contract, and if the Kings want to clear up some cap space, a PG swap with the Knicks might be in the cards.

Leon Rose would be replacing one veteran presence with another, while supplying the Knicks with a career 33% 3-point shooter. While 33% is right around league average, Joseph is coming off one of his better shooting seasons at a 35% clip on about 2.5 attempts per game, which is exactly what the Knicks, but more importantly, RJ Barrett needs alongside him. This move would also help RJ become one of the primary facilitators on offense, as Cory Joseph is not necessarily known for his playmaking ability, averaging just shy of about 3 assists per game for his career.

If the Knicks were expected to be players in the upcoming 2021 free agency class, of course I would never make this move. In all reality, with the bulk of the major names already re-signing with their respective teams, even if they get stuck with Cory’s contract on their books for next season, it wouldn’t affect any of their future plans and would also come with their 14th 2nd round pick over the next 6 seasons to help ease the pain.