Monday’s acquisition could signal a potential dilemma for Miles McBride: New York inked former Philadelphia 76er Cameron Payne to a one-year, $3.1 million contract, bolstering their backcourt depth despite ongoing issues in the frontcourt.
The decision to add Payne, who is entering his 10th season at age 30 in August, may initially surprise observers, especially given McBride’s breakout performance this past season. McBride transitioned from limited playing time to a significant role, showcasing impressive stats and transforming from a benchwarmer to a key contributor for the Knicks.
While Payne’s signing might be viewed as an effort to address the team’s lack of bench scoring in the backcourt, particularly after Immanuel Quickley’s departure to Toronto, McBride excelled in this role, averaging 10.6 points in the 50 games following Quickley’s move.
Insider Ian Begley from SNY Knicks pointed out that Payne’s acquisition doesn’t necessarily reflect the Knicks’ diminished view of McBride. He highlighted that the team made significant efforts to exclude McBride from the trade package that secured Mikal Bridges from Brooklyn (which eventually included Bojan Bogdanovic and Mamadi Diakite along with draft picks).
However, the Knicks currently face a crowded roster situation with 14 players under contract (13 guaranteed and one on a two-way deal with second-round pick Ariel Hukporti). Other rookies like Pacome Dadiet are also vying for spots, and the team appears committed to Tyler Kolek, whom they traded up to draft from Marquette.
With Donte DiVincenzo’s expected return to the bench, McBride risks being relegated back to a lesser role. Head coach Tom Thibodeau has a history of favoring a compact rotation, often sidelining veterans and promising young players alike, such as Evan Fournier, Derrick Rose, and Obi Toppin.
Despite the Knicks’ ongoing need for interior depth, particularly with Mitchell Robinson’s uncertain future and Jericho Sims’ undefined role, McBride could unfortunately find himself as the odd man out in roster decisions. Even though the Knicks value McBride highly, the current roster dynamics and offseason maneuvers may force tough decisions regarding his future with the team.