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New York Knicks: 2 Elfrid Payton trades to contenders

By Brad Dressler

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - FEBRUARY 03: Elfrid Payton #6 of the New York Knicks is defended by Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls during a game at United Center on February 03, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. The Knicks defeated the Bulls 107-103. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - FEBRUARY 03: Elfrid Payton #6 of the New York Knicks is defended by Zach LaVine #8 of the Chicago Bulls during a game at United Center on February 03, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. The Knicks defeated the Bulls 107-103. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks trade
Nemanja Bjelica (Photo by Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images) /

NY Knicks trades for Elfrid Payton: Getting Nemanja Bjelica from the Kings

The surging Sacramento Kings have found themselves currently in the Western Conference’s 7th seed, and now maybe a time to start bolstering their roster for a playoff push.

Nemanja Bjelica has somehow fallen entirely out of the Kings’ rotation and I’m not too sure why. It was just a season ago where Bjelica scored 11.5 points while shooting 42% from deep on 4.4 attempts per game. Bjelica would provide the Knicks bench with an instant boost to their 3-point shooting and can fill in at either the 3 or 4 spots in a pinch.

The Knicks have all the leverage here because the Kings need an upgrade at the back-up point guard spot and would only be giving up a back-end of the bench player in Bjelica, so a 2nd round pick would help sweeten the pot.

The Knicks developmental staff can help re-invigorate Bjelica and have him become a strong contributor off the Knicks’ bench, providing the high-level 3-point shooting that he’s known for to a unit in desperate need of both shooting and scoring.

On the other side of the trade, Payton would most likely agree to this trade happily as the Kings are somehow in a better position today than the Knicks are. With stand-out rookie Tyrese Haliburton playing more of an off-ball role, Payton would come in as a massive upgrade over the Kings’ Cory Joseph off the bench. He could also start in place of De’Aaron Fox in the event he’s injured without the Kings losing too much outside of Fox’s superior shooting from 3-point range.

Next. How the Knicks should approach the trade deadline. dark

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