Veteran guard Landry Shamet has agreed to a one-year deal with the Knicks. The opportunity to be in a “winning environment” was a key factor in his decision to sign with New York, sources tell Ian Begley of SNY.tv (Twitter link).
According to Stefan Bondy of The New York Post (Twitter link), Shamet had two other teams vying for his services. The 27-year-old is expected to make New York’s regular season roster, Bondy adds, which suggests Shamet may have received at least a partially guaranteed contract.
If Bondy’s reporting is accurate, Shamet would be the 15th and final player on the Knicks’ standard roster, with 14 players already on guaranteed contracts. Trades could change that number, but that’s where the roster currently stands.
Both Begley and Bondy point out that Shamet played with Mikal Bridges in Phoenix. The Knicks acquired Bridges this summer in a blockbuster trade with Brooklyn.
Here’s more on the Knicks:
- In a mailbag for SNY, Begley states that All-Star power forward Julius Randle is willing to take on “any role” he’s assigned this season “if it leads to winning.” Asked about the possibility of Randle playing some center in 2024/25, Begley said he isn’t sure if that will happen, but he does think a smaller lineup (Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo or Josh Hart, Bridges, OG Anunoby and Randle) would be very difficult for opposing defenses to stop.
- Randle will earn $28.9MM this season and could hit free agency next summer if he declines his $30.9MM player option for ’25/26. He’s also eligible for a veteran extension. According to Begley, Randle wants to remain with the Knicks, but there hasn’t been any traction on an extension before training camp, and that seems unlikely to change before the season begins.
- In the same story, Begley addresses the Knicks’ backup center situation, with Precious Achiuwa and Jericho Sims likely behind Mitchell Robinson on the depth chart. Given Robinson’s lengthy injury history (he was limited to 31 games last season and is coming off ankle surgery), the position looks a little shaky. Begley lists Nick Richards, Walker Kessler and Robert Williams as potential trade targets to monitor, and says the Knicks discussed a deal with the Hawks involving Clint Capela this offseason.
I predict Randle gets regular minutes at center. The current state of the roster almost dictates it.
It would be crazy not to have him play some minutes in that role based on the current roster
Capela would be ideal, but doubt there’s room for his salary. Prince as the BU C isn’t too bad, and Randle against smaller teams would certainly be a nice advantage for the Knicks.
So Randle will take any role “if it leads to winning”. I guess this means if they don’t win he’s gonna complain about his role? Odd comment.
Love the Knicks offseason but Julius Randle really is the big question mark with this team.
I think you have to just forget about him and see how they play all together see how that goes for you and then really just think ahead to the playoffs and the possible match ups.
Boston with White Holiday Brown Tatum KP Horford is threat number 1, you’ve also got Embiid and Giannas you have to think about coming out the east. Then it’s Jokic, Luka, OKC and maybe Minny.
I think looking at these match ups what you really need is someone 6’9 or taller that can make a difference at both ends. You’ve got some elite bigs to potentially come up against and that’s your thinnest area. Yes you have loads of quality wings but so did the clippers with Kawhi, PG, Powell, Mann etc. Robinson is decent but injury concerns and defending away from the rim? Randle isn’t known for his defence and after that it’s Precious and Sims who are both not proven big time performers I’d be ready to rely on.
I think one deal I’d be potentially looking at making is Julius Randle and Jericho Sims for John Collins and Walker Kessler.
Collins better suits this team in my opinion. The starting PF role will likely be 20/25mins with more minutes coming as a back up 5. Compared to Randle, he’s had more experience playing small ball 5 with some success. He’s a fairly reliable 3 point shooter, he’s more of a rim runner,screen setter whereas Randle is more of an iso player.
Also from a very small sample size we have seen Randle crumble in the playoffs (34% FG and 28% 3P% over his career) whereas Collins was happier to take a smaller role and still was efficient (51% and 35%).
On top of that your getting Walker Kessler who gives you even more depth at the 5 spot. He’s 7 foot, very good shot blocker, good offensive rebounded and doesn’t need big minutes to be effective either.
Atleast then when coming up against the elite bigs you have multiple guys you can thrown at them. I remember Collins specifically giving Embiid problems a couple years back in the playoffs. Giannas and the Bucks I think you can ask OG to take that role but again depth is good. Boston KP and Horford, OG will take Tatum, I think between Robinson and Walker you’d win the inside but in space KP and Horford can pull bigs away from the middle and that’s where having a John Collins would help.
Dallas use their bigs more as rim runners and screen setters, again I like Robinson and Walker inside but in space in pick and rolls you’d be asking OG to really help which means a lot of switching and stuff it would be a tough series but I like the depth in wings you have.
Denver with Jokic, Murray, Gordon, MPJ I wouldn’t be as worried about, bodies to throw at Jokic, OG on Gordon easy, MPJ is a pain on the boards but you have Hart who os equally as good at that. I’d back NY.
But again this is all only if they make the deal above
Randle isn’t going anywhere this year. The FO has built this team on the assumption that Randle would be here (and its not a contender without him). So, they’ll trade Randle (or let him walk) when they give up on this team. Since they’ve bet quite heavily on the team (trading away all their recent draftees and their FRPs out to 2031), that is unlikely to happen anytime soon.
Richards would make sense.
Trade Dadiet and Ariel with the draft rights to Rokas, Lessort and Vaulet for a back up C……then sign Carmelo Anthony