Knicks roster analysis: Cameron Payne signs, Precious Achiuwa lingers and more

The New York Knicks’ offseason is not finished.

They could still use a backup center. They have a couple of players, Julius Randle and Mikal Bridges, eligible for extensions in August and September, respectively. Those aren’t the only two whose futures are in question. Head coach Tom Thibodeau is entering the final season of his contract and could re-up for more years soon. Free-agent big man Precious Achiuwa is waiting on news, as well.

Here is a look at three roster-building issues the Knicks still face:

The Knicks were on the prowl for a third point guard, and Payne was the man they identified.

The 29-year-old signed a one-year, minimum contract with New York earlier this week, an acquisition that led to questions about what this could mean for the team’s other backup point guard, Miles “Deuce” McBride.

In reality, it doesn’t affect much.

The Knicks still anticipate McBride will be in their top eight. His rehab from a toe injury remains right on schedule, according to a league source with knowledge of his health. Doctors expect him to return to basketball activities before training camp begins.

But the Knicks also view McBride as more of an off-ball player than an on-ball facilitator. Payne can handle the rock, has playoff experience, is a notoriously hard worker and — the cherry on top — is a close friend of Bridges from their days with the Phoenix Suns.

He may not be in the rotation to begin the season, especially if the group elects to roll with a conventional backup center. The Knicks already have Donte DiVincenzo, Josh Hart and McBride as reserves. Add in a big man, and that’s Thibodeau’s nine-man rotation.

The Payne signing also removes pressure from second-round pick Tyler Kolek, who the Knicks traded up for on draft day. This organization does not love entering the season with a rookie, especially a second-rounder, forced into its rotation. Even Immanuel Quickley, who played right away after New York selected him No. 25 in 2020, had to earn a spot as a regular.

The initial plan entailed not playing Quickley often, instead using Austin Rivers as the backup guard. But Quickley performed so well during training camp and the preseason that Thibodeau could not hold him back. If Kolek were to do the same, the Knicks would be thrilled. But with Jalen Brunson, McBride and Payne already on the roster, the team won’t have to lean on him.

The Knicks are stuck with the best problem a team can have: They employ a bunch of good players.

Brunson is an All-NBA point guard. McBride is an up-and-comer on a cheap contract. Kolek, who has looked impressive in summer league, has potential. Heck, there is not even room for Kolek’s summer-league teammate, Rokas Jokubaitis, on the roster as currently constructed. The team drafted Jokubaitis in the second round a few years ago and has stashed him in Barcelona ever since.

Meanwhile, Payne, who has regularly received playing time with the Phoenix Suns and Philadelphia 76ers for the past four seasons, is now one of the league’s more dependable third-string point guards.

If you plan on signing an extra point guard, you won’t do much better than handing a minimum contract to a prime-aged player who has proven himself a capable contributor on winning teams.

Thibodeau’s extension

After the Knicks lost to the Indiana Pacers in Round 2 of the playoffs, reports swirled about Thibodeau’s future, calling an extension more likely than not. The Knicks coach is entering the final year of his contract. But more than two months removed from the group’s playoff ousting, Thibodeau is yet to extend.

Yet, that’s no concern for Thibodeau or the organization, league sources told The Athletic. Thibodeau is still more likely to extend than not. The Knicks have merely had other matters to take care of, such as the trade for Bridges, the extension for Brunson and other roster-building activities.

Thibodeau’s current contract expires after 2024-25. He has a 175-143 (.550 winning percentage) regular-season record since coming to the Knicks four seasons ago, helping them to the playoffs three times and winning a first-round series during each of the past two springs. The last time a Knicks coach won a playoff series in consecutive seasons was 24 years ago under Jeff Van Gundy.

With coaching salaries around the league exploding over the past couple of seasons, an extension would require a raise. In early June, The Athletic conducted a poll of eight front office officials, asking them what they would deem a “fair” price for Thiboeau in an extension. All eight respondents suggested salaries between $10 million and $13.3 million a year.

Achiuwa update

Weeks into free agency, Achiuwa is lingering in the market. At this point, remaining unsigned could be to both his and the Knicks’ advantage.

The Knicks remain open to bringing back Achiuwa, who they acquired as part of the December trade that brought OG Anunoby to New York. And yet, for now, they are best leaving Achiuwa unsigned — and Achiuwa can maximize his market by waiting.

The NBA’s economy has changed under this new collective bargaining agreement. The middle class is getting hit. Zero free agents this summer have received the non-taxpayer midlevel exception for multiple seasons. De’Anthony Melton is the only person to receive it in full, but he got only one year with the Golden State Warriors. Others have had to take less. Many organizations haven’t used their midlevel, whether the non-taxpayer or the taxpayer, at all.

The non-taxpayer midlevel exception, which allows over-the-cap teams to sign players to contracts with a starting salary of up to $12.9 million, also can be used as a trade exception now, which gives front offices an excuse to hold onto it if they don’t love what they see. Solid role players are getting squeezed.

Tyus Jones, who is sneakily coming off his best-ever season with the Washington Wizards, remains unsigned. Caleb Martin reportedly turned down a five-year, $65 million extension to test free agency and received only half of that guaranteed money over four years. Gary Trent Jr., a consistent scorer and shooter, settled for a minimum contract with the Milwaukee Bucks earlier this week.

That brings us back to Achiuwa, and why he may still be around.

If the offers are not attractive, maybe at the minimum or barely above, Achiuwa could be best off waiting to see what the Knicks do. And the Knicks could benefit from patience, too.

Here’s why:

Beginning this season, trades are far more difficult to make, especially for a team like the Knicks, who are above the first apron, a payroll threshold that limits an organization’s resources if it crests over it. One of the most punitive first-apron restrictions? The Knicks are not allowed to take back more salary than they send out in a trade.

This is where hypothetical trades become even more confusing: No team above the first apron can realistically make a trade with another that also is above the first apron. Unless they are dealing one player for another who makes the same salary, all the way down to the cent, one team will be absorbing more dollars than the other.

The Knicks could still use a backup center. A trade could entice them, but they need the tools to make it happen. Achiuwa would come in handy if they’re negotiating with a team also above the first apron.

Let’s say the Knicks agree to a trade with Team A that would send (I’m making up numbers to keep the math simple) $10 million in salaries to Team A and $14 million in salary to the Knicks. That means New York is adding $4 million to the deal. Achiuwa could remedy that. All the Knicks and Team A have to do is find a third team, someone either with cap room or an exception to absorb the big man, then agree to a sign-and-trade with Achiuwa that pays him more than $4 million.

The final version of the trade would look like this:

The Knicks send out $10 million of salaries on the roster and, say, a $5 million salary for Achiuwa in a sign-and-trade deal. They bring back $14 million and thus are in the clear.

Team A sends out $14 million and takes back $10 million, which puts it in the clear, as well.

Team B, which must be below the first apron, receives Achiuwa in a sign-and-trade and possibly lands a draft pick as a thank-you for facilitating the deal.

It’s why both sides might as well wait. In the end, the Knicks can execute a trade they otherwise couldn’t and Achiuwa receives more than a minimum salary. If the Knicks can’t find a worthwhile deal, then bringing back Achiuwa, who performed well after joining the group this winter, remains on the table.

(Photo of Cameron Payne: Jesse D. Garrabrant / NBAE via Getty Images)