CHARLESTON, S.C. — Training camp reaffirmed him as the clear frontrunner for the final roster spot.
Landry Shamet, who is operating on a non-guaranteed contract, has been repeatedly mentioned as a standout member of the reserves by coach Tom Thibodeau after sessions at The Citadel.
The Knicks need to fill at least two roster spots before the regular season, but due to the luxury tax, only one is available to a veteran like Shamet.
The second player will likely be one of the players currently on a two-way contract: Jacob Toppin, Ariel Hukporti or Kevin McCullar Jr.
“I don't make the final decision on that, but what do I base my decision on?” [Shamet’s] It is done on the floor. He did really well,” Thibodeau said. “Like I said, in the second unit, I want to see him too, because I've seen what they've been doing in practice, and they've been working really well as a unit. ” So I would like to see that in a match situation. But he did a really good job.
“He has really good chemistry with Cam.” [Payne]and if we put in a deuce [McBride] they are very fast. He can play with great speed. ”
Thibodeau added that Precious Achiuwa and Jericho Sims are also running on the second unit. This is indicative of Coach Thibodeau's nine-man lineup: Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, Karl-Anthony Towns, McBride, Achiuwa, Payne, Shamet and Sims.
“I think it's going to be a very strong unit for us,” Thibodeau said.
The Knicks' two offseason blockbusters required the mathematical foresight of team capologist Brock Aller. He has garnered praise around the league for overcoming the new CBA and its apron restrictions.
“Brock was great,” said Thibodeau, also a former Timberwolves team president. “It was a great execution of a plan. It's five years in the making. It's about accumulating draft capital, taking opportunities and stepping up and figuring out what we can do.
“And it's not easy. It's your immediate plan and it's your future plan. You have to look at it almost three different ways. There's the basketball perspective, but what's on the floor? What do you mean? Then there's the financial implications. Then you also have to look at the penalty side. So you have to dig into all three things before you make a decision. did a great job.”
Sources say Aller often speaks with agents as the Knicks' representative and negotiator.
He joined the Knicks from the Cavaliers in 2020.
Aller was reportedly offered a front office job with the Hornets last season, and the Knicks will play in their preseason opener on Sunday. But Aller stuck with the Knicks and helped negotiate two trades (one for Bridges, one for Towns) while keeping the Knicks below the second apron.
All five of the Knicks' projected starters are signed through at least 2026, and four of them are signed through at least 2028.
“[Aller] He’s doing a great job,” Brunson said. “We applaud what he did, and we have to go out there and do our part on the floor.”
