On Saturday, ESPN reported that the New York Knicks are waiving guard Landry Shamet. This decision comes in the wake of Shamet dislocating his right shoulder during a preseason game on Tuesday while attempting a defensive play. The 27-year-old guard is optimistic about undergoing rehabilitation without needing surgery.
Before his injury, Shamet was having a productive preseason, averaging 10.8 points in 22 minutes per game. Over his six-year career, he has maintained a three-point shooting percentage of 38.4%. His performance was strong enough to make him a likely candidate for the Knicks’ final roster.
Knicks head coach Tom Thibodeau had consistently praised Shamet during training camp, emphasizing how well he would fit into the team’s system. Thibodeau noted Shamet’s valuable experience with new teammates Mikal Bridges and Cameron Payne, both of whom joined the Knicks this summer, which added to the potential chemistry on the court.
Despite his release, the Knicks are set to start the season with 12 players on standard contracts, as they remain $3.6 million below the second tax apron. They can operate with fewer than 14 players on their roster for designated periods during the season. Importantly, the Knicks have the option to re-sign Shamet later in the regular season, depending on his recovery.
