Knicks Veteran Guard May Be Moved Before the Trade Deadline
After losing five of their last six games, the New York Knicks appear close to having their core rotation fully intact after battling injuries throughout the season. Josh Hart, Mitchell Robinson, and Miles McBride are all in the process of reintegrating themselves into head coach Mike Brown’s rotation, a welcome sight for a team looking to regain momentum in the Eastern Conference. As the Knicks return to full strength, one player may find himself on the outside looking in: Landry Shamet. With Brown giving extended opportunities to younger players throughout the season, Shamet’s role has steadily diminished, and his fit with the roster has come into question. As trade rumors continue to circulate involving veteran forward Guerschon Yabusele, New York may prioritize adding a more defense-oriented wing off the bench.
Shamet has already established himself as a journeyman despite being under 30 years old, having not spent more than two seasons with any NBA franchise. Through 15 appearances this season, Shamet is averaging nine points, two rebounds, and an assist per game, numbers that closely mirror his career averages. His calling card remains perimeter shooting, an essential skill for most NBA contenders. Shamet is shooting 45.2% from the field and 42.4% from three-point range, providing spacing when he is on the floor. However, his shortcomings on the defensive end have become increasingly difficult to overlook. As defense has grown more important for role players on contending teams, Shamet has struggled to consistently hold his own.
Within the Knicks’ bench rotation, McBride and Jordan Clarkson have regularly logged more than 20 minutes per game when healthy. The rise of Tyler Kolek has further complicated Shamet’s path to consistent playing time, as the second-year guard has earned a strong following and a growing role. Shamet did record a career-high 36 points against the Miami Heat earlier this season, but outside of that performance, he has reached double figures only sporadically. For a player whose specialty is instant offense, that level of inconsistency is concerning. At six-foot-four with a six-foot-seven wingspan, Shamet is undersized for a forward role, and his presence often forces Clarkson into playing small forward, a position that limits his effectiveness.
With reports suggesting that Shamet’s absence from recent lineups could be a sign of an impending move, the Knicks may soon act. New York appears unwilling to part with members of its starting lineup or key bench pieces such as Clarkson, McBride, Robinson, or Kolek. That reality makes Shamet the most expendable option should the team look to upgrade its bench. With Sacramento Kings wing Keon Ellis reportedly on the Knicks’ radar, a potential package involving Yabusele, Shamet, and draft compensation could provide a defensive boost as the season reaches its midpoint. With the NBA Trade Deadline set for February 5th, the Knicks may need to act quickly to avoid slipping out of the top two seeds in the Eastern Conference.
