The Knicks made a strong play for Warriors point guard D’Angelo Russell at Thursday’s trade deadline – still not convinced they want to move on with Elfrid Payton.
Payton continued to show that they should, staging his second straight spectacular outing in a 105-103 win over the Magic: 15 points, nine assists and seven steals. Yet his future is as cloudy as ever. Payton signed a two-year, $16 million deal this offseason; the second year is a team option.
“I’m just playing hard,” said Payton, who hates talking about himself.
Payton was spared at the trade deadline, but the Clippers got the Knicks’ best player in Marcus Morris.
“I think he’s going to be a great addition for them,’’ Payton said. “I think that makes them the favorite coming out of the West. They’re getting a dog, somebody who’s going to go hard every night and having one of the best seasons of his career.’’
The day before the trade deadline, Payton said he thought the Knicks had “enough’’ on the roster to continue their recent winning ways, maybe even sneak into a playoff race. That probably was busted when Morris got dealt for draft picks, though the Knicks plowed on to their third straight win, moving six games out of the eighth seed.
Payton’s big night followed his triple-double in Cleveland (17 points, 15 assists, 11 rebounds) on Monday. He became the first Knick since Walt Frazier to post a triple-double with at least 15 assists.
With his quick hands on defense, Payton has bounced back with a flourish after a one-game suspension for pushing Jae Crowder. Payton was angered when Crowder shot a 3-pointer late in the Grizzlies’ blowout win over the Knicks at the Garden nine days ago.
You can make a case the Knicks’ record of 16-36 wouldn’t be as bad if Payton didn’t miss 17 straight games due to a hamstring injury during the David Fizdale era.
A trade for Russell — the Knicks were dangling point guard Frank Ntilikina as part of the package — probably would have ended Payton’s chances of returning next season. Russell wound up getting dealt to the Timberwolves.
“For me, it’s nothing,’’ Payton said of the trade deadline. “If it’s nothing I can control, I couldn’t care less. My focus was on Orlando. I’m sure it can be nerve-wracking for other people always checking your phone not knowing what could happen. A lot of emotions. At end of the day you got to do a job. It’s a tough thing overall for most people. I have to keep as normal as possible because you have to be able to perform. That’s always been my mindset.”
Payton, who turns 26 in two weeks, is averaging 9.4 points, 6.8 assists and 4.6 rebounds. The thing he doesn’t do well is shoot the 3 (24.1 percent). Still, the Knicks have to contemplate exercising their $8 million team option on Payton for next season.
Acting team president Scott Perry was part of the braintrust that drafted Payton in Orlando in 2014, and he tried to deal for Payton at the 2018 deadline.
“I feel like Scott’s a good leader, man,’’ Payton said. “Somebody I trust with my career. Like you said, he drafted me. I know it’s been a tough year, but I still have full trust in Scott. I think he has a vision. I trust Scott. Whatever he does, I’m with him. Win, lose or draw, I’m with Scott.’’
Ultimately, Leon Rose — the incoming team president who was in charge of Creative Artists Agency’s basketball division — will have to make the call on Payton’s option. It’s noteworthy that Payton is a CAA client whose rep is Aaron Mintz.