New York Knicks: 3 Elfrid Payton trades to consider

Elfrid Payton for Frank Kaminsky

Similarly to Cory Joseph, Frank Kaminsky is on the back-end of a deep “big man” rotation in Phoenix, and hasn’t been able to find much time on the court. While the Suns may be deep at the 4 and 5 spots, their guard rotation is lackluster, so Elfrid Payton would play an important role on a team looking to make a playoff push.

Even if Obi Toppin comes back healthy sooner than later, New York’s big-man rotation could use some beefing up. While Kaminsky isn’t exactly known for his defensive prowess, he fits a role the Knicks haven’t had on the roster since trading Kristaps Porzingis back in 2018.

Kaminsky would bring a great change-of-pace at the 5 spot behind Mitchell Robinson and Nerlens Noel by being able to stretch the floor as a true 7-footer, shooting 35% from deep on 3.5 attempts per game for his career, almost like a poor-man’s Brook Lopez.

This might be a bit of speculation here, but I think with Kaminsky and Robinson spending more time around one another during practices and walkthroughs, it may help Mitchell improve in his in-game confidence to shoot from 3-point range. At this point, we’ve all seen the videos from the offseason of Mitchell Robinson draining mid-range and 3-pointers, but have yet to see it in live action so maybe with Kaminsky aboard, it helps unlock that potential for the young star.