When the New York Knicks signed Landry Shamet before the 2024-25 season, expectations were modest. He was viewed as a veteran shooter who could provide depth off the bench, not someone who would eventually become one of the most important role players on a championship contender.
Two years later, Shamet has transformed from a roster question mark into one of the most beloved players on the Knicks. His journey is a story of perseverance, patience and preparation. One that perfectly reflects the grit that has defined New York’s championship run.
Landry Shamet’s Career Was at a Crossroads
Before arriving in New York, Shamet had become the definition of an NBA journeyman. Since entering the league as a first-round pick in 2018, he had played for multiple organizations, including the Philadelphia 76ers, Los Angeles Clippers, Brooklyn Nets, Phoenix Suns and Washington Wizards.
The Knicks offered another opportunity, but nothing was guaranteed.
Shamet impressed during training camp and preseason, averaging 10.8 points per game while earning praise from then-head coach Tom Thibodeau. It appeared he had secured a role in New York’s rotation. Then disaster struck.
During a preseason game against the Charlotte Hornets, Shamet dislocated his shoulder. Because of salary-cap constraints, the Knicks were forced to waive him shortly afterward despite plans to potentially bring him back once healthy.
For many players, that moment could have marked the beginning of the end. Instead, it became the beginning of Shamet’s New York story.
Staying Ready at All Times
Rather than looking elsewhere, Shamet remained connected to the organization. The Westchester Knicks acquired his rights, allowing him to continue rehabilitating within the team’s system. He worked his way back and eventually re-signed with New York in December after choosing rehab over surgery.
The road back was anything but smooth.
Minutes were inconsistent. Opportunities came and went. At times, Shamet appeared buried in the rotation behind younger players and more established contributors. Yet he never stopped preparing.
By the end of the regular season, the signs of a breakthrough were becoming evident. Shamet averaged more than 12 points over his final 10 games and knocked down nearly half of his three-point attempts during that stretch.
While those performances generated little national attention, they laid the foundation for what was to come.
Most importantly, he had earned the trust of his teammates.
Shamet Stepped Up When It Really Mattered
Every championship run features unexpected heroes. For the Knicks, that hero became Landry Shamet.
Entering the postseason, few expected him to play a major role. New York’s roster was built around stars such as Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns and OG Anunoby. The spotlight naturally belonged to them.
Shamet had different plans.
As the playoffs progressed, his shooting, defense and relentless energy became impossible to ignore. Whether it was diving for loose balls, fighting through screens or knocking down timely three-pointers, he consistently delivered winning plays.
The defining moment came during the Eastern Conference Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
With the Knicks facing a massive deficit in Game 1, Shamet delivered one of the biggest shots of New York’s season. His three-pointer with 45 seconds remaining completed a stunning comeback from 22 points down and helped spark a victory that immediately became part of franchise lore.
It wasn’t a one-game fluke.
Shamet followed with another brilliant performance in Game 3, scoring 14 points off the bench and burying multiple fourth-quarter three-pointers to help put Cleveland away. During the series, he shot an astonishing 7-for-8 from beyond the arc, with nearly all of those makes coming in clutch moments.
Suddenly, the player who had been fighting simply to stay on an NBA roster was becoming one of the Knicks’ most reliable postseason contributors.
Landry Shamet Became the Perfect Role Player
What makes Shamet’s rise so remarkable is that it was never solely about scoring. The best role players understand exactly who they are.
Shamet embraced every responsibility asked of him. He spaced the floor. He defended multiple positions. He moved without the ball. He accepted fluctuating minutes without complaint.
In an era where many players chase larger roles and bigger statistics, Shamet focused on helping his team win. That mentality resonated with both the coaching staff and the fan base.
As New York marched through the playoffs, Shamet’s production continued to climb. Opposing teams were already monitoring him as a potential free-agent target because of his elite postseason shooting and defensive effort.
He shot 50 percent from three-point range during a lengthy Knicks playoff winning streak.
For a player once viewed as expendable, it was a remarkable turnaround.
A New York Success Story
New York sports fans have always appreciated stars, but they love underdogs.
The city embraces players who fight for every opportunity, overcome adversity and earn everything they achieve. That is exactly why Shamet has become such a fan favorite.
His story is not one of instant success. It is a story of setbacks, injuries, uncertainty and resilience. He was waived before the season. He spent time rehabbing and proving himself. He waited patiently for an opportunity and seized it when it arrived.
In many ways, Shamet’s journey mirrors the Knicks themselves. Both spent years searching for stability. Both faced questions about whether they belonged among the NBA’s elite. Both answered those questions on the biggest stage.
When the playoffs began, Landry Shamet was viewed as a supporting piece.
By the time the Knicks completed their championship run, he had become something much more.
He had become a playoff hero.
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