From Roster Bubble to Rotation Lock: Landry Shamet’s Grit and Shooting Fuel Knicks’ Historic Win
The New York Knicks didn’t just beat the Brooklyn Nets-they made a statement. And while the 44-point blowout will go down in the record books, it was Landry Shamet’s perfect night from deep that turned heads inside the locker room and across the league. The 28-year-old veteran drilled all six of his three-point attempts, racking up 18 points and showing exactly why he’s become a trusted piece in head coach Mike Brown’s rotation.
Shamet’s journey this season has been anything but straightforward. Coming into training camp, his spot on the roster wasn’t a lock.
The Knicks were juggling a crowded backcourt and weighing trade scenarios involving young prospects like Tyler Kolek and Pacôme Dadiet. With limited roster space and a looming second tax apron, it looked like Shamet might be the odd man out.
Then came the unexpected: Malcolm Brogdon, a key veteran presence, announced his retirement. That decision shifted the calculus for New York’s front office. Garrison Mathews was ultimately the cap casualty, but Shamet survived the roster crunch-without the Knicks needing to sacrifice any of their young assets in a salary dump.
And Shamet didn’t just stick around-he earned his place. He played his way into the nightly rotation early in the season, even logging a career-high scoring performance. But just as he was finding his rhythm, a shoulder injury-one that had already cost him significant time the previous year-sidelined him again.
That’s when Mike Brown’s belief in Shamet really became clear. At one point, Brown even joked that he’d personally pay Shamet’s salary if that’s what it took to keep him on the team during his recovery.
It was half-humor, half-truth-and all heart. Brown saw the value in Shamet’s toughness, his floor spacing, and his defensive edge.
Now, with Shamet healthy again, Brown finally has access to his full top-eight rotation. And it shows.
Against Brooklyn, Shamet didn’t just shoot the lights out-he brought the kind of energy and grit that coaches dream of. Before a recent game against Phoenix, Brown said Shamet’s return would allow him to experiment with a lineup the analytics department had flagged but hadn’t seen the floor yet.
Postgame, Brown confirmed that Shamet’s presence gave him a fully healthy core group-something that hasn’t been a given for this Knicks team.
Shamet’s shooting-43.5% from beyond the arc this season-is a weapon, but it’s his defensive presence that’s really caught the coaching staff’s attention. Brown recently called Shamet and Deuce McBride the team’s two best on-ball defenders. That’s high praise, especially considering the Knicks also have elite wing stoppers like Mikal Bridges and OG Anunoby on the roster.
With the trade deadline approaching, Shamet’s name isn’t likely to pop up in any serious rumors. He’s not just a shooter or a stopgap-he’s become a vital part of what makes this Knicks team tick. His journey from roster bubble to rotation lock is a testament to persistence, professionalism, and the kind of two-way impact that doesn’t always show up in the box score-but wins games.
The Knicks are surging, and Shamet’s right in the middle of it.