On Monday, the New York Knicks signed veteran guard Cameron Payne to a one-year deal for the veteran minimum. The signing appears to be merely a depth move for the Knicks, giving the team added insurance at the position.
A former teammate of Payne’s with the Oklahoma City Thunder could soon become an option for the Knicks as they look to maximize their roster ahead of next season.
Russel Westbrook could be an option for the Knicks
Former MVP Russel Westbrook is expected to part ways with his current team the Los Angeles Clippers, per NBA Insider Shams Charania. The nine-time All-Star is not the same player he once was, but has salvaged his career by becoming one of the league’s more valuable bench players in recent years.
Last season, Westbrook averaged 11.1 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists off the bench, finishing seventh in Sixth Man of the Year voting. He signed a two-year deal for the league minimum with the Clippers last offseason and is now likely to be traded before the start of next season.
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Even though the Knicks currently have Miles McBride, and newcomer Tyler Kolek as the team’s backup guards, Westbrook could still make sense for the Knicks. Given the Knicks’ need for a backup center following the departure of Isaiah Hartenstein, a player such as McBride now becomes expendable for the Knicks, who could explore trade options for the guard in order to address their backup center position.
This is where Westbrook would come into play. By trading McBride, Westbrook would have a clear path to get minutes on the Knicks. Additionally, Westbrook’s intensity and passion that he regularly shows on the court could give the team a jolt of energy when the game slows down.
The Knicks still have some work to do and could look to address some of their needs with splashy moves such as trading for a former MVP. Nonetheless, the Knicks are set up nicely to be one of the league’s top title contenders next season.
