Landry Shamet has received his official diagnosis and has an important deadline looming.
As expected, the Knicks backup guard dislocated his shoulder in Tuesday's preseason game, the Knicks announced, but Tom Thibodeau says he's still “gathering information” on his options.
The big question is whether Shamet will undergo surgery, a conundrum familiar to Knicks fans who followed Julius Randle's recovery story from a dislocated shoulder last season.
Because Shamet is on a non-guaranteed contract, league officials confirmed that the Knicks would only get $15,000 of his $2.6 million contract if Shamet is waived by Saturday's 5 p.m. Ta.
If he is not waived, the Knicks will have a daily fee towards the cap.
“It's a shoulder dislocation and we're still gathering information on what the next steps are,” Thibodeau said. “Obviously, we have very strong feelings about him and his actions. So whatever it is, whatever is at hand, if you're dealing with an injury, that Focus on your rehabilitation and get ready to go again.”
When asked if he expected Shamet to be on the regular-season roster, Thibodeau said: I am writing this based on what I have on hand at the moment. It's a dislocated shoulder. He's still gathering information, so we'll just go from there. So he has already started rehabilitation. And I like it. He also needs more information. ”
Shamet, who was projected to be a key rotation player before his injury, has multiple options.
They could potentially keep the 27-year-old on the roster until he's healthy.
It wouldn't make sense to have surgery for a torn labrum, which typically requires six months of recovery.
It also makes no sense if the Knicks doubt Shamet can return to full competency without surgery.
Another option is to waive Shamet and include him on the current roster (TJ Warren), current free agents (like Marcus Morris), or players who will become free agents (possibly Lonnie Walker IV). The idea is to use his spot for another veteran player, regardless of whether or not he becomes available. He was waived by the Celtics before the opening game due to the luxury tax).
The Knicks have 12 players on guaranteed contracts and need to reach 14 by the start of the regular season. The deadline for submitting rosters for opening day is October 21st.
Randle, who was traded to the Timberwolves last month, went through a similar process to Shamet.
After seeing multiple doctors, he attempted to return without surgery, but suffered setbacks during his rehabilitation and ended up going under the knife.
On Thursday, Shamet posted on Instagram: “I'll be back soon.”
He was not with the Knicks for Friday's preseason game against the Wizards.
“Thank you for all the prayers and well wishes,” Shamet wrote. “This is just the next disability, and fearing disability goes against everything about me. I welcome disability. I'm attacking this rehab. I'll be right back.”
If Shamet is fired, veteran Cam Payne would be the frontrunner to become the guard/wing off the bench next to Miles McBride.
Rookie Tyler Kolek also has a chance to play.
