You gotta think if this has legs, it’s already been discussed between ms. Benson and loomis. If there is a chance it happens, I’m sure they’ll let Allen walk for Payton. We all know the rest of the story is going to get out eventually and if the fans hear that they passed on Payton to keep DA another season, the backlash from fans would be insane.
Honestly? Backlash would be an understatement. It'd be a fantastic way to completely lose an already smaller fanbase, and you couldn't blame anyone for doing so with a decision like that. That's basically saying you're content with losing.