NY Knicks: 3 levels of trades involving Elfrid Payton

Elfrid Payton NY Knicks Trade #1 – Patrick Beverley

My colleague Allen Settle here at Daily Knicks recently detailed how Patrick Beverley would be the perfect fit for a Tom Thibodeau-ran team, so I decided to try to bring that idea to life.

It’s been speculated that the Clippers have been wanting to bring in some better facilitators to the roster, as Kawhi Leonard doesn’t want to do as much playmaking as he’s been asked to do.

Elfrid Payton has entered the chat…

In no way am I trying to say that Elfrid Payton is an overall upgrade over Patrick Beverley, but as crazy as this is for me to write, Payton is a better playmaker and a far superior scorer over Pat Bev.

What the Clippers lose in defensive intensity, they gain back in other areas.

Surely the Clippers would like to shed some salary in the ordeal as well, as Beverley is set to make over $14 million next season.

Because the Knicks end up absorbing a pretty big contract for a player who’s objectively not worth the money he’s being paid, the Clippers also send over their 2023 2nd round pick in the swap.

As many know by now, the 2023 draft is being recognized as a ‘double draft’ because the NBA is allowing high school students to de drafted directly into the league, so a lot of teams would like to stockpile picks for that year.

Beverley brings a defensive intensity that is unmatched by anyone on the current roster.

He brings plenty of post-season experience with him and an uncanny will to win.

I’m personally not doing this trade if I’m Leon Rose because of the salary that’s tied to Beverley for next season, but the trade wouldn’t be the worst in the world if we’re being fair.