Hence, it’s no guarantee the Knicks would exercise his option for 2020-21. Payton is a Creative Artists Agency client, and Knicks president Leon Rose previously ran the agency’s basketball department. “The thing I improved most since my rookie season, I think is my leadership,’’ Payton said. “I always had leadership qualities and wanted to lead by example. But as I’ve gotten older, I think I’m using my voice a lot more.’’