In a tough preseason matchup against the Charlotte Hornets, New York Knicks shooting guard Landry Shamet suffered a significant injury right before what could be a thrilling season for the team. According to the Knicks’ PR team, Shamet dislocated his right shoulder and will be re-evaluated at a later date, which means he is currently out indefinitely.
Ian Begley from SNY.tv reports that the organization is continually assessing his shoulder, hoping to avoid surgery. The Knicks were counting on Shamet as a key wing option this season, especially after trading for four-time All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns, which depleted their depth by including guard Donte DiVincenzo in the deal.
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Shamet is in the first year of a non-guaranteed, minimum contract featuring some Exhibit 9 language. This allows the Knicks to only owe $15,000 for his injury-related costs if they choose to release him. As of now, only 12 players on the Knicks’ roster have guaranteed contracts.
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Currently, New York is operating just under the league’s $188.93 million second tax apron, which acts as a hard cap. This means managing Shamet’s situation could have financial implications for the team. The Athletic’s James L. Edwards III notes that the Knicks seem willing to take their time with Shamet, indicating they’re not in a rush to make decisions.
NBA teams are permitted to carry fewer than 14 players for short stretches during the regular season. One potential strategy for the Knicks could be to release Shamet now and re-sign him after he recovers.
At 27 years old, Shamet was picked 26th overall by the Philadelphia 76ers in the 2018 NBA Draft. Over his career, he has established himself as a reliable 3-and-D player across several playoff teams, including the Clippers, Nets, Suns, and Wizards. Throughout his 348 games in the regular season (with 97 starts), he has averaged 8.7 points, 1.7 rebounds, and 1.6 assists per game.
The Knicks aim to build on a successful 2023-24 campaign, where they secured the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference with a 50-32 record. Unfortunately, injuries hindered their playoff efforts, resulting in a second-round exit against the Indiana Pacers.
In response, team president Leon Rose made significant moves, acquiring All-Defensive Team wing Mikal Bridges and later trading for Towns, which cost the team some depth. With a projected starting lineup that includes All-NBA Second Team point guard Jalen Brunson, two-way shooting guard Josh Hart, Bridges, OG Anunoby, and Towns, the Knicks are among the favorites—if they can keep everyone healthy. Players like Shamet are essential for providing bench support through the season leading up to the playoffs.
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