Landry Shamet re-signs with Knicks after shoulder injury in boost to bench
The Knicks are saying hello again to Landry Shamet.
More than two months after he dislocated his shoulder in the preseason, Shamet is re-signing with the Knicks on a one-year deal, a source confirmed Sunday.
The veteran sharpshooter had passed on surgery for the chance of playing again this season, rehabbing vigorously and appearing three times in the G-League.
Shamet apparently showed enough for the Knicks to give him another opportunity, and there’s certainly space for improvement with a Tom Thibodeau bench that ranks last in minutes and points.
Currently, the regular bench rotation is limited to Miles McBride, Cam Payne and Precious Achiuwa. Jericho Sims has been in and out of the rotation.
Shamet, 27, brings six seasons of NBA experience, decent size and strength at the two-guard position and, most importantly for the Knicks, outside shooting.
He was a lock to make the final roster out of training camp but suffered the shoulder injury in the fourth preseason game against the Hornets.
Shamet, who was teammates with Payne and Mikal Bridges with the Phoenix Suns, was waived after the shoulder separation but then drafted by the Westchester Knicks.
In a related move, the Knicks waived Matt Ryan, who couldn’t build on his early opportunity in the Knicks’ rotation.
Ryan, who has averaged 1.7 points in nine appearances while shooting just 29 percent, is still eligible to re-sign on a two-way contract.
His standard deal would’ve been guaranteed by Jan. 10 if he wasn’t waived.
Shamet, who also played for the Nets, Wizards, Clippers and Sixers, averaged 10.7 points on just 36.7 percent shooting in the G-League since his shoulder recovery.
In four preseason appearances with the Knicks, Shamet averaged 10.8 points in 22 minutes and consistently drew praise from Thibodeau.
“The way he’s fit in,” the Knicks coach said in training camp. “There’s some benefit to having played with Cam and Mikal, so I think being familiar with those guys. Versatility, the ability to play multiple positions. Can think on his feet, can execute, can really shoot the ball.
“So those type of guys — I like the speed of our second unit a lot. I think when you look at Cam, Deuce and Landry, they complement each other really well, and so I like their perimeter play together.”
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