Everyone loves an underdog story, and Landry Shamet has become the latest unlikely Knicks figure to capture that role. What began as a borderline roster fight has turned into a memorable run that has already secured him a place in Knicks history.
Shamet arrived in New York as a veteran journeyman, having played for several teams in six NBA seasons and coming off a difficult stretch in Washington. His three-point shooting had slipped, and his standing around the league was uncertain. When the Knicks signed him before the 2024-25 season, he was viewed as one of several candidates competing for the final roster spot, not as someone expected to shape the team’s fate.
His path became even more complicated after the Karl-Anthony Towns trade forced the Knicks to manage roster and salary constraints. Shamet was briefly waived, then kept in the organization through the G League setup in Westchester so he could rehab his injured shoulder and remain available. Months later, he returned on a standard contract and gradually worked his way into the rotation.
At first, his shot was rusty, but his form improved as the season went on. He finished strong from three-point range over the final stretch of the regular season and hit multiple big shots in April, seemingly positioning himself for a larger playoff role. That didn’t happen immediately. In the first rounds, he saw only limited minutes and was mostly buried behind the Knicks’ core rotation.
But when the Knicks fell behind 0-2 to Indiana in the Eastern Conference Finals, coach Tom Thibodeau adjusted. Shamet got a bigger opportunity off the bench, and he helped spark a comeback win in Game 3. Though the Knicks ultimately lost the series, his late-season contributions showed he could still matter in high-leverage moments.
This offseason brought more uncertainty, but Shamet earned another chance in training camp under a new coaching staff. After Malcolm Brogdon retired during preseason, Shamet won a roster spot and started the season with a larger role, especially while injuries thinned the backcourt. Once again, he delivered timely scoring and energy before another shoulder issue interrupted his momentum. This time, however, the injury was a strain rather than a dislocation, and he returned after missing time.
As the playoffs resumed, Shamet again found himself in and out of the rotation. But when the Knicks needed a spark in the postseason, he answered. His clutch shooting and defensive activity helped swing momentum in key games, including a dramatic comeback win in Cleveland and strong performances against Philadelphia. In Game 1 of the Cleveland series, he hit a critical corner three and later helped seal the overtime victory.
By the time the Knicks reached the later stages of the playoffs, Shamet had transformed from a likely roster casualty into a trusted postseason contributor. For a franchise still chasing its first NBA Finals appearance in 27 years, his unlikely rise has become one of the season’s defining stories.
