Jason Burgos
A new rumor suggests it is far from guaranteed that the New York Knicks will re-sign sharpshooter Landry Shamet this summer.
There are many reasons the Knicks are in the enviable position of holding a 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals as the series pivots to New York for Games 3 and 4 this week. Surely, Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns will get a lot of credit. But their depth has been its biggest weapon.
There have been so many players on this roster who have made meaningful impacts during their 13-game playoff win streak. However, one who has really stood out in some major moments has been Shamet. He was a good three-point shooter in the regular season, but he has been absolutely deadly in the postseason. Including making 11 of his 12 attempts in the Knicks’ sweep of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Conference Finals.
The talented sharpshooter who can also play strong defense has emerged on the national stage at just the right time because the 29-year-old is set to be a free agent this summer. And while the Knicks will aim to re-sign him, it could be difficult once the offseason begins.
NY Knicks will have to pay Landry Shamet over $10 million annually to re-sign him
“I’m told external suitors are already starting to circle in anticipation of pursuing him in free agency, which officially begins June 30 at 6 PM ET,” NBA insider Marc Stein reports. “It certainly doesn’t hurt that Shamet is only 29. Considerable interest is inevitable because, well, who doesn’t need more shooting?”
However, Stein adds that the Knicks do have an advantage over other teams in re-signing Shamet. However, retaining his services will come with a sizable pay increase.
“They do hold Shamet’s Early Bird rights and thus can offer him a new deal that starts at 105% of the league’s average salary if necessary,” he writes. “So they will have the functionality to go well over $10 million annually if it comes to that.”
The guard made just over $3 million this season. A talented 3-and-D player is always in demand in the NBA. So, the Knicks are sure to be in a battle to bring him back in 2026-27.
