New York Knicks: 3 Elfrid Payton trades to consider
Elfrid Payton for Shaquille Harrison, Juwan Morgan and a future 2nd rounder
What’s that you say? Another 2nd round pick? Don’t mind if I do.
Right now, the Jazz don’t have a legitimate backup point guard so that’s the only reason they do this trade. If they want to get farther in the playoffs than they did last year, they need a better point guard off the bench that will allow Jordan Clarkson to play off the ball more often. End of story.
Shaq Harrison has intrigued me for a while now and I believe he can be a contributor on both ends of the floor if given the right circumstances. Harrison plays hard-nosed defense, has above average athleticism, and can knock down a 3 when needed. This is the type of player that fits well in a Coach Thibodeau and Mike Woodson run team, and exactly what the Knicks need in their shooting guard and small forward rotations.
Of course, he would have to earn his spot on the roster, but at this point I see him as a player of equal talent to Kevin Knox, so making it into the rotation should happen in short order.
Juwan Morgan would be included for cap-related purposes, and would be a G-league forward for the season. He likely won’t get much burn at the NBA level.
Next. 3 options to fix the PG problem. dark
Seeing how the Knicks already snagged two 2nd rounders from the Jazz earlier this offseason, I wouldn’t be surprised if the pick was either protected or came with conditional terms.