On Monday, Knicks starting point guard Elfrid Payton faced Denis Schroder, the Lakers point guard who will be a free agent this summer. On Wednesday, Payton will take on Pelicans playmaker Lonzo Ball, also a free agent this summer.
The Knicks are expected to have an interest in both point guards in August.
But if Payton plays the way he played against the Lakers on Monday, who says he won’t be back at the club next season? Especially with Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau’s constant praise for Payton, who praised him on Monday for his ‘great’ outing.
Payton finished with 20 points in 27 minutes, taking 9 of 12 off the field without a 3-pointer in a 111-96 win at the Garden. He wound up the track for his runners and floaters and was a plus-27, even though he only had two assists.
[He put] a lot of pressure on the rim, ” said Thibodeau. “Downhill, painted, ball pressure, difficult to play, it gives us a physicality, allows us to shift more than we normally would because of the size and toughness it has. He is an important part of this team. ”
Payton never seems to win enough Knicks fans, but the only fan that matters is Thibodeau, who continues to run him through the season.
Despite a pelvic injury, a stumbling Schroder still had a good game with 21 points, but that was mostly in the first half (16) before the Knicks left.
With Julius Randle in the point-forward role, Payton has fewer ball-handling duties and admits it is “an adjustment.”
“I’m just going to roll with it,” Payton said.
But he still attacks the edge.
“Just looking for different seams and cracks,” Payton said. “That’s something I’ve done my entire career. Just trying to get into the paint, do plays for others, and make them for myself. ”
After the trade deadline when they shipped Austin Rivers and Ignas Brazdeikis, the Knicks had two open roster seats. They filled them with 10-day contracts for big men Norvel leather and John Henson
Pelle officially signed his second 10-day contract on Monday. Henson hurt his calf on his second day, and it’s hard to imagine he will be renewed this week when his contract expires as he hasn’t been able to adjust.
“Injuries are an annoying part of the business, but there will be a demand for them Leon [Rose] Wes [Wesley] and Scott [Perry]‘Said Thibodeau.
Rose has not spoken to the media in over eight months.
One of the players The Knicks had internal talks about signing last week was Anthony Tolliver, who struck a 10-day deal with the Sixers on Monday. He’s more of a 3-4 and the Knicks were looking for a power forward center.
Still, he’s a solid 3-point shooter and Thibodeau has coached him in Minnesota.