LAS VEGAS – Elfrid Payton certainly didn’t sound like he was going to be a backup player for the Knicks.
In fact, Payton said he had “so many options”, but picked the Knicks partly because of playing time.
One of GM Scott Perry’s favorites, Payton agreed to terms on a two-year deal for $16 million, the second year being a team option, and now joins Dennis Smith Jr. and Frank Ntilikina in the point-guard derby.
“Playing time was a factor and it depended on the deal,’’ Payton told HoopsHype. “I obviously don’t mind playing on a one-year deal … but when you’re in a situation where you’re on a one-year deal, you have to be able to play to showcase what you can do.