Knicks officially outduel Lakers for historic 6-foot-5 playoff hero, NBA champion

By admin — In News — July 12, 2026

   ​The Los Angeles Lakers entered the 2026-27 season determined to bolster their wing depth, hoping to satisfy the demands of Luka Dončić and keep themselves firmly in the championship conversation. They answered the call by bringing in Collin Sexton and Quentin Grimes to address a glaring perimeter shortage (Grimes’ signing was made official on Tuesday, while Sexton’s status remained in flux at that time).
Even before those moves, Los Angeles had eyes on a familiar name from New York: the Knicks’ celebrated 6-foot-5 playoff standout who had etched his signature as a legendary shooter in the franchise’s postseason history, and a seasoned NBA champion guard, Landry Shamet, according to a report from ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. By June 29, ESPN’s Vincent Goodwill reported that Shamet, then an unrestricted free agent, planned to re-sign with the Knicks on a four-year, $24 million deal, compelling the Lakers to pivot. The deal was eventually made official the following Monday.
“The New York Knicks announced today that the team has re-signed Landry Shamet,” the Knicks’ press release stated. “Shamet, 29 years old (6-5, 198 pounds), averaged 9.3 points on 39.2% shooting from three, 1.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists over 23.0 minutes in 51 games (12 starts) for the Knicks this past season.” The release also highlighted his postseason contributions: during the 2026 championship run, Shamet averaged 6.0 points on 47.5% from three and 1.1 rebounds over 16.3 minutes across 19 games. He totaled 29 three-pointers in the 2026 playoffs, establishing himself as the franchise’s all-time leader for most threes in a single postseason. Notably, he posted a career-high 36 points, along with three assists and two rebounds, in aNovember 14, 2025, matchup against Miami, a performance that linked him with Bernard King and J.R. Smith for the 10th most points off the bench in Knicks history.
Shamet’s impact wasn’t limited to the box score. Without his late-game heroics—his game-tying, fourth-quarter corner three against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals—New York might have opened that series on a sour note. Instead, his timely three forced a decisive outcome, sending the game to overtime and setting the stage for a 22-point Knicks comeback that gave them a 1-0 series lead. His shooting prowess provided New York with a reliable second-unit perimeter threat who thrived on big stages, a contributor who helped a team that leaned on sharpshooting to light up important playoff moments.
There’s little doubt that Shamet’s precision from beyond the arc paid meaningful dividends for the Knicks last postseason, as he stood among the league’s elite playoff shooters. He was one of only 16 players who posted at least 45% from three in the 2026 postseason, underscoring the value of his floor-spacing ability. Given that track record, the Knicks were understandably content to have him back in the fold, a decision that reinforced their conviction in his role as a dependable marksman off the bench.
As the league moved through the offseason, the broader NBA conversation continued to reflect Shamet’s importance to New York’s lineup, particularly in the context of perimeter shooting and secondary-ballhandling scenarios. His re-signing helped stabilize a key facet of the Knicks’ strategic approach, ensuring they could lean on a proven shooter who could stretch defenses and deliver in pivotal moments.
For readers seeking broader context or related perspectives, The Sporting News identified Shamet’s return as a notable development in a season defined by reshaped rosters and strategic pivots across the league, underscoring the significance of veteran sharpshooters in postseason calculus.  

Content Source: Yahoo News

Image Credit: Getty Images

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