KNICKS NOTES

Other than a decent payday, it may be one reason Payton, 25, was eager to leave the Pelicans. Dennis Smith Jr. started Friday with Payton coming off the bench.

Payton had the stronger evening as Smith shot 2-for-12 (1for-4 from 3-point range) for nine points, with nine rebounds, six assists and three turnovers in 31 minutes. Payton, in 17 minutes, scored six points on 3-for-6 shooting with blazing drives to the rim, one coast to coast. But he committed five turnovers.

Payton told The Post he had a chance to re-sign with New Orleans, even after the Pelicans traded for Lonzo Ball.

Fizdale did not play Frank Ntilikina on Friday so he could get a stronger look at Smith, who was a flop in his preseason debut this past Wednesday versus the Hawks.

“Dennis hasn’t played in just one game,’’ Fizdale said beforehand. “I want to get his minutes up to speed. Elfrid will be his third game and Frank has played three. We’ll have enough body of work to evaluate these guys.’’

➤ The Pelicans are already plotting for life without Zion Wil

liamson. The rookie phenom will miss “a period of weeks to start the regular season” with a right knee injury that is not considered very serious, according to ESPN. That means an ACL tear has been ruled out, and the timeline sounds more consistent with a knee sprain. On Friday morning, Alvin

Gentry sounded like a coach who will be without his No. 1 pick for a while. Gentry said he can’t commit to a timetable yet for the 6-foot-7, 285-pounder, whose durability is his biggest concern.