There's no question that expectations have shifted for the New York Knicks over the past few seasons, and while stars like Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns will be primarily responsible for the team's "big picture" success, there is at least one spark-plug guard who could be uniquely impactful on the margins.
NBA vet Cameron Payne has never averaged more than 11 points in a season, but he has regularly made his presence felt on the court. His swagger and ability to provide spurts of scoring in limited minutes will aid the Knicks as they try to show they are serious threats to win the Eastern Conference.
Cam Payne is a spark plug who will be critical for Knicks down the stretch
Presently, Payne plays around 15 minutes per game. Considering Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau plays his starters for the majority of games, Payne receives a decent amount of time. New York will obviously rely on Brunson and the starters to fortify the backcourt, but Payne will be needed when the main cast needs a breather.
While this may seem like a bland defense of Payne's importance, it is particularly critical that this Knicks team gets consistent production from their bench.
New York currently averages the fewest bench points in the league, and even though their record would not indicate that this is a problem, it is an area of concern that could keep them from defeating a team like the Cleveland Cavaliers or the Boston Celtics in the playoffs.
Payne is the Knicks' best chance to receive consistent scoring from the bench. Miles "Deuce" McBride has shown he can contribute, but he is still developing and should not have to lead the bench. McBride could learn from someone like Payne as his career matures.
Further, Payne has previously shown that he can be a thorn in an opponent's side from an emotional perspective. Last spring, he was a fiery influence against New York while he was a member of the Philadelphia 76ers. Even if the Memphis native does not stuff the stat sheet, his presence will always be felt.
Even if New York grabs reinforcements before the February trade deadline, they will certainly need Cameron Payne to be a workhorse when his number is called upon.