In a strategic move that could bolster their perimeter shooting, the New York Knicks have secured veteran shooting guard Landry Shamet on a one-year contract. The signing marks another chapter in Shamet’s well-traveled NBA career, which has seen him play for six different teams over eight seasons.
A Veteran Sharpshooter
Originally drafted as a first-round pick by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2018, Shamet made an immediate impact with his shooting prowess. His journey took a turn midway through his rookie season when he was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers. Since then, he has donned several jerseys, showcasing his deep shooting skills, a career 38.4% success rate from beyond the arc serving as a testament to his consistency from long range.
Last season, Shamet suited up for the Washington Wizards, where he faced a challenging campaign, posting a relatively lower three-point accuracy of 33.8% over 46 games. Despite this dip, his career numbers suggest a reliable hand, something the Knicks will be hoping to leverage.
Knicks' Three-Point Landscape
The Knicks have been moderately active from the three-point line, finishing 13th in the league in three-point attempts per game last season at 35.8. Their accuracy ranked 14th, with a respectable 36.9% conversion rate. This provides a decent foundation, but the addition of consistent shooting could catapult them further up the list.
Key contributors last season included Donte DiVincenzo and Jalen Brunson, who collectively accounted for 42% of the team’s long-range attempts. Meanwhile, Julius Randle made 31.1% of his three-point attempts, averaging more than five attempts per game. His volume from beyond the arc highlights the Knicks' reliance on diverse shooting threats.
Recent Acquisitions
The Knicks have not been passive this offseason. In addition to Shamet, the team has also enhanced their roster by acquiring Mikal Bridges and signing backup point guard Cameron Payne.
Bridges, a steady two-way player, joins with a career three-point shooting percentage of 37.5%, further solidifying the Knicks' perimeter options. Payne brings experience and a career three-point mark of 36.9%, providing depth and reliability off the bench. Both moves reflect a clear effort by the franchise to strengthen their outside shooting abilities, likely aiming to create more spacing and scoring opportunities.
Optimism for the Season Ahead
With these offseason additions, the Knicks are setting a new strategy with a renewed emphasis on perimeter shooting. Shamet’s career stats indicate that he can play a crucial role, potentially rejuvenating his form and providing a steady hand from beyond the arc.
The Knicks' approach to building a roster with ample shooting talent could pay dividends as they seek to climb the Eastern Conference rankings. As the new season looms, expectations are high for these recent signings to integrate seamlessly and elevate the team’s performance.
While it remains to be seen how these changes will unfold on the court, the Knicks’ efforts to enhance their three-point game indicate a clear strategy: to become a formidable threat from downtown and improve their overall offensive efficiency.