Knicks Rumors: Trade Buzz Surrounding Elfrid Payton, Willy Hernangomez and More

The New York Knicks' worst nightmare occurred on Tuesday as All-Star forward Kristaps Porzingis suffered a torn ACL in his left knee after completing a dunk attempt against the Milwaukee Bucks.

It's an absolute disaster for a franchise that finally committed to building around KP, who averaged 22.9 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game in his third season.

The 22-year-old's rehabilitation is far and away the most important thing to this franchise's future. When KP comes back, however, it should be with a few new teammates.

New York is 23-32 and five games behind the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Five seems like 15, however, without Porzingis. At this point, it's clear that the Knicks should be sellers in advance of the NBA's trade deadline on Thursday at 3 p.m. ET.

Two prominent trade rumors have floated around this week. Here's a look at both in addition to some analysis.

Elfrid Payton to the Knicks?

According to Marc Berman of the New York Post, the Knicks have inquired about Orlando Magic point guard Elfrid Payton:

"The Magic are open for business, and it's no surprise Knicks general manager and former Orlando executive Scott Perry has checked in on his former lottery pick, point guard Elfrid Payton, The Post has learned. According to an NBA source who has spoken to Knicks brass, Perry has interest in reuniting with the 23-year-old Payton at the trade deadline, feeling he can get him at a discount and keep his rookie point guard Frank Ntilikina out of the deal."

Berman went on to note that Magic general manager John Hammond, who started his new role in the offseason, is looking to deal the former Louisiana-Lafayette star. The fourth-year pro and 10th overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft is a restricted free agent this summer.

Payton-Knicks Analysis

Payton's true potential isn't really known. He (and the rest of his teammates) haven't been put in a great situation in Orlando, as the previous front office made questionable moves and signings (e.g. trading future All-Star Victor Oladipo for 56 games of power forward Serge Ibaka) that resulted in a roster that did not mesh well.

That has hindered Payton's development thus far, although he has shown flashes of brilliance. For example, he has crushed the playoff-bound Washington Wizards this year to the tune of 23.7 points, 7.3 assists and 4.7 rebounds per game in three contests.

On the flip side, his play has been uneven at times, and he's lost playing time to D.J. Augustin and Shelvin Mack. He has surpassed the 30-minute mark only five times in 2018.

Payton is averaging 13 points and 6.3 assists per game this season. He's good at driving through the lane and finishing contested shots at the rim, but the issue is his outside shooting in a league that depends on it more than ever (per Basketball Reference, teams are attempting a league-record 28.7 threes per game this year).

Payton does not possess an adept outside jumper right now. To his credit, he is making a career-high 37.3 percent of his three-pointers this season, but he takes only 1.6 attempts per game on average. He has also struggled from the free-throw line, making just 63.2 percent of his shots from the charity stripe.

On one hand, he could be a good addition for the Knicks. Payton is just 23 years old and could thrive in the right system. The problem is New York has been one of the most chaotic franchises in American professional sports this century, so this might not be the place for a young player looking to improve following four down years.

Ultimately, New York isn't the right fit, especially with rookie Frank Ntilikina already in the mix.

Willy Hernangomez On His Way Out?

On Monday, Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports reported that Knicks backup center Willy Hernangomez was looking for a trade before the Thursday deadline.

Hernangomez more or less confirmed that sentiment on Tuesday. Per Al Iazzanone of Newsday, the 23-year-old said the following prior to Tuesday's game with the Bucks:

"I want to be somewhere where I can have minutes, where I can play and where I can keep developing. To be able to do that in New York would be amazing, everybody knows I love the city, I love the fans. I love playing with KP. But right now, it's not happening. So the only thing I really want is to find the best way for my future before Thursday."

Hernangomez then proceeded to play just two minutes in a game where the Knicks trailed by double digits for the last 21:41.

Hernangomez-Knicks Analysis

Those two minutes are likely the last of Hernangomez's Knicks career, as he hasn't even averaged 10 minutes per game this season while he sits behind Enes Kanter and Kyle O'Quinn on the depth chart.

It's also surprising that Hernangomez hasn't found the court more often, especially when it became clear earlier this winter that the Knicks wouldn't be a serious playoff contender.

Hernangomez fared well when given the opportunity last year, as he posted 11 double-doubles, including a 16-point, 16-rebound effort in 25 minutes against the Brooklyn Nets.

He does need to improve defensively, but the 23-year-old did well scoring and rebounding when facing the league's best.

The Knicks shouldn't have a shortage of suitors for the 6'11" big man. Young and rebuilding teams can look to Hernangomez as a potential part of their future core. Other teams ready to win now can add Hernangomez to the back end of the rotation if they are looking for frontcourt depth and/or scoring and rebounding help.

Oddly enough, New York would seem like the perfect fit for Hernangomez, as it is many pieces away from seriously contending in the playoffs. However, it's clear that the team doesn't envision him as a part of its future, so he'll likely be calling a new place home by Thursday.