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Landry Shamet, Knicks Agree to 1-Year Contract Ahead of 2024-25 NBA Season

Mike Chiari@@mikechiariX.com LogoFeatured Columnist IVSeptember 14, 2024

WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 25: Landry Shamet #20 of the Washington Wizards dribbles against the Cleveland Cavaliers at Capital One Arena on February 25, 2024 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Patrick Smith/Getty Images

The agent for Landry Shamet told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski on Saturday that the veteran guard signed a one-year contract in free agency with the New York Knicks.

Shamet, 27, has had something of a nomadic NBA career thus far, playing for the Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Clippers, Brooklyn Nets, Phoenix Suns and Washington Wizards over the course of six seasons.

Last season, Shamet appeared in 46 games for the Wizards, averaging 7.1 points, 1.3 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.2 three-pointers made in 15.8 minutes per contest.

Shamet was originally the No. 26 overall pick in the 2018 NBA draft out of Wichita State by the Sixers, and he quickly developed into a valuable outside shooter off the bench.

He shot a career-best 42.2 percent from beyond the arc as a rookie, and averaged over nine points per game and exactly 2.1 three-pointers made per in game in each of his first three seasons.

Shamet's playing time has gone down over the past three seasons, though, as has his efficiency. Things bottomed out last season in Washington, as his 15.8 minutes per contest and 33.8 percent shooting percentage from long range were both career lows.

The Knicks are getting a player who shoots 38.4 percent from downtown in 348 career games, and he could be a useful player for them if he returns to performing at or near that level.

New York already has one of the deepest and most talented rosters in the NBA, so it won't necessarily need Shamet to play significant minutes.

At guard alone, the Knicks have Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, Josh Hart and Cameron Payne, plus quality wings such as OG Anunoby and Mikal Bridges.

As a result, the Knicks are among the top contenders to win the Eastern Conference and perhaps an NBA championship, but it will take quality depth to get to that point.

Shamet has shown during his career that he can step in and be productive should injuries arise, and even if they don't, he can given them a quality 10 minutes in a playoff game and help shift momentum with a trifecta.

Shamet is the type of player contending teams always seem to be on the lookout for, and now the Knicks can stop their search after reaching a deal with him.