The New York Knicks have made a strategic move by signing veteran shooting guard Landry Shamet to a one-year deal. Shamet, a first-round pick by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2018, has been a journeyman of sorts, as this contract marks his sixth team in eight seasons. Despite the frequent changes in scenery, Shamet brings with him a reliable three-point shooting capability, boasting a career success rate of 38.4% from beyond the arc.
Shamet's journey in the NBA has been a turbulent one. After being drafted by the 76ers, he was traded midway through his rookie season to the Los Angeles Clippers. His continuous movement among teams has not hindered his development into a competent role player, capable of spacing the floor with his shooting prowess.
Recent Performance Metrics
Last season with the Washington Wizards, Shamet posted a three-point shooting percentage of 33.8% over 46 games. While this was a drop from his career average, his addition to the Knicks' roster is seen as a reinforcement to their perimeter shooting, an area where the team had a middling performance last season. The Knicks ranked 13th in the league in three-point attempts per game at 35.8 and 14th in three-point percentage at 36.9%.
The Knicks' three-point shooting last season was largely driven by Donte DiVincenzo and Jalen Brunson, who accounted for 42% of the team's long-range attempts. Additionally, power forward Julius Randle, despite shooting just 31.1% from beyond the arc, attempted more than five three-point shots per game. The addition of Shamet could help alleviate some of the perimeter shooting responsibilities spread among the current roster and potentially improve the team's overall three-point efficiency.
Key Acquisitions and Team Dynamics
Shamet is not the only player the Knicks have added to their squad this season. The team also acquired Mikal Bridges earlier in the summer. Bridges, another adept shooter with a career three-point shooting percentage of 37.5%, further bolsters the Knicks' shooting arsenal. Adding to that depth, the Knicks signed backup point guard Cameron Payne, who brings a career three-point mark of 36.9% to the table.
With these acquisitions, the Knicks aim to create a more versatile and dynamic offensive lineup. Combining Shamet's reliability from the three-point line with Bridges' and Payne's shooting ability, the Knicks are clearly emphasizing the importance of long-range shooting in their strategy moving forward.
Strategic Implications
The success of the Knicks' new signings will depend greatly on their integration into the existing team structure and their ability to adapt to head coach Tom Thibodeau's system. Shamet’s ability to perform as a spot-up shooter, especially in a system that heavily relies on pick-and-roll plays, could provide the Knicks with a viable option to spread the floor, creating better driving lanes for slashers like Randle and Barrett.
Moreover, possessing multiple players who can shoot effectively from beyond the arc will likely open up the floor for other offensive plays, making the Knicks less predictable and more challenging for opponents' defenses. With Brunson and DiVincenzo likely continuing to shoulder a significant portion of the offensive load, the effective inclusion of Shamet, Bridges, and Payne may lead to a more well-rounded offensive strategy.
In conclusion, the Knicks’ recent signings, particularly that of Landry Shamet, signify a concerted effort to address their previous shortcomings in three-point shooting. If Shamet can return to his career-average performance from beyond the arc, he could play a crucial role in the Knicks' quest to improve their offensive efficiency and overall team performance this season.