Where Elfrid Payton sees himself in the Knicks’ point-guard pecking order

LAS VEGAS — Elfrid Payton certainly didn’t sound like he was going to be a backup point guard for the Knicks.

In fact, Payton said he had “so many options,” but picked the Knicks partly because of playing time.

One of GM Scott Perry’s favorites, Payton agreed to terms on a two-year deal for $16 million, the second year being a team option, and now joins Dennis Smith Jr. and Frank Ntilikina in the point-guard derby.

“Playing time was a factor and it depended on the deal,’’ Payton told HoopsHype. “I obviously don’t mind playing on a one-year deal … but when you’re in a situation where you’re on a one-year deal, you have to be able to play to showcase what you can do. If you’re on a one-year deal and you don’t play, then your hands are kind of tied, you feel me? I also looked at the coaching and playing style.”

Smith Jr. figured to be the starter next season before the Payton signing. They acquired Smith in the Kristaps Porzingis deal in late January.

“I feel like good players can always figure it out,’’ Payton said of playing with Smith. “As far as I know, he has a good basketball IQ, so I think we can make it work. I’m sure he’ll be picking my brain just as much as I’ll be picking his brain.’’

Payton added that his Pelicans teammate Julius Randle was a big factor, too. Randle signed a three-year deal but the final year is not guaranteed. Payton sees the signings as a terrific alternative after missing out on the stars, saying Knicks fans will “love this group.’’

“I’m excited to play with Julius again,’’ Payton said. “I had always liked Julius from afar and really respected his game. But last year, being up close with him and being in the situation we were in last year — where we were going through all of the injuries and tough stuff and still having to produce — I got a chance to see what he does when his back is against the wall and he came through in a big way. I gained a lot of respect for him. He’s a dog. I respect anybody who’s a dog in this league.”

The Knicks signed six players in the first 20 hours of free agency after Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving thumbed their noses at the Garden.

Payton, 25, believes Perry signed players with similar attributes, calling all of them “dogs.” Perry selected Payton 10th in the 2014 draft. Payton indicated Knicks fans next season won’t be missing the injured Durant or Irving when they see this group fight.

“I’ve never been in war with Bobby (Portis), but I can see how he gets down, so to speak,’’ Payton said. “He’s a dog. Taj Gibson? He’s a dog. When I saw those signings, [coming to the Knicks] was almost a no-brainer.

“Just sit back and watch, man. They’ll grow to love this group of guys. It’s totally natural to feel some type of way when you miss out on guys like Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, but I think they’re going to grow to love this group. I feel we embody what New York basketball was about back in the day — just being grimy, tough guys who play with a chip on their shoulder and have something to prove.”

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The Knicks, as The Post reported, decided against waiting for Wednesday’s tentative meeting with Kawhi Leonard so they can move on to sign other free agents before they went off the market. Knicks brass knew they were extreme long shots and may have looked at it as a courtesy meeting.

Certainly, Payton, who lit it up when he was healthy last season, averaging 10.6 points and 7.6 assists and 5.2 rebounds, would have been gone. He’s an excellent penetrator, passer and an active defender, but a poor outside shooter.

“I had a good number of options this year, so I was really excited. It was a little bit different from last year when I didn’t have as many (teams),’’ said Payton, reduced to 44 games because of a knee injury. “At first, I’m thinking, ‘Man, this is great! I have so many possibilities to choose from!’ But it definitely made the decision a little bit harder initially because there were so many options and I was trying to pinpoint the best fit and the best situation for me.”

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