Steve Popper: Knicks' well-traveled Landry Shamet has become key rotation piece
The Knicks' Landry Shamet in action against the Nets at Madison Square Garden on Jan. 21, 2026. Credit: Getty Images/Sarah Stier
WASHINGTON — As the trade deadline grows closer with rumors of stars on the move, and some already dealt, the thoughts understandably turn to how the Knicks can get the next star.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is the most dazzling prize. There was talk of Jaren Jackson Jr., who wound up with Utah. James Harden, a sure sign of the deadline approaching, was asking out of the Clippers and got his wish, reportedly sent to Cleveland for Darius Garland.
And the Knicks certainly would like to be in the mix for the stars, or even manage, as Minnesota did Tuesday, to make a minor move that creates the opening for the bigger move. The Timberwolves made a money-saving three-team deal to help open up space in case they can somehow swing a package for Antetokounmpo.
Maybe the Knicks will be pushed to pull the trigger on a deal as they see competitors in the East making moves. But sometimes minor moves are just minor moves on their own. And sometimes those moves can be helpful, too.
Consider the case of Landry Shamet.
The Knicks built their team around a starting five that is balanced and talented. But there was Shamet’s 23-point performance Sunday against the Lakers, a 36-point explosion earlier this season against Miami and a stingy defensive effort every night.
Shamet’s search for an NBA home had gone through four franchises. Most recently, he was waived by the Wizards, whom he had not even played a day for, and now he is a key rotation piece for the Knicks. After he was waived in July 2024, the Knicks signed him to a non-guaranteed contract just ahead of training camp. And when he suffered a dislocated shoulder in a preseason game the Knicks waived him, saving themselves some salary-cap space, before signing him three months later for the rest of the season.
“It’s part of the journey,” Shamet said. “There’s highs and lows in this thing. You can’t get caught up on either end of that spectrum. Just take care of your work every day, try to be a good teammate and the rest will take care of itself.”
He was without a contract again this summer until the Knicks signed him before camp, again with a non-guaranteed deal, and again he suffered a shoulder injury. But this time the Knicks kept him in place as he rehabbed, his contract becoming fully guaranteed last month.
So, why was it so hard for him to find a permanent home?
“Yeah, to play devil’s advocate, he’s also a big asset,” Jalen Brunson said. “I think he does a lot for teams. So a lot of teams see that. I think it’s who he’s been. I’ve seen that from afar playing against him and it’s even better playing with him.”
“Obviously he’s had some injuries,” Josh Hart said. “Sometimes unfortunately that aids to kind of moving around. But him being healthy, he’s a great player. He’s something that we’re going to need and rely on. Especially down the stretch. So surprised a little bit. But maybe shouldn’t be surprised.”
There is something to be said for building within, the Knicks improving with six straight wins entering Tuesday. They’ve done it with help up and down the lineup rather than relying on the scoring outbursts from Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns. Maybe it’s a coincidence that it came after one of the worst performances of the season — a one-sided loss to Dallas at home that capped a stretch of nine losses in 11 games.
And there were reports that Brunson called for a players-only meeting after that game. But the Knicks have insisted that the report was erroneous and Brunson clarified it Tuesday morning.
“It wasn’t really a team meeting,” Brunson said. “It was just me voicing my opinion after the game against Dallas. It wasn’t me calling a team meeting. We meet after games. I said something before Coach walked in. That’s it.”
There were no lineup changes, no roster changes and no major trades. The Knicks just started to play the way that they were supposed to play.
Steve Popper covers the Knicks for Newsday. He has spent nearly three decades covering the Knicks and the NBA, along with just about every sports team in the New York metropolitan area.
