Unless he had the winnings paid into a family trust in which he was not the only member. Personally, I would have taken the lump sum. Knowing New York, they may default on the payments in later years.
Knowing New York, they may default on the payments in later years.
............................................
Don’t think this is a problem. The amount of the lump sum winnings is used to buy an annuity from a 3rd party company, which is what funds the annual payments.