Knicks Could Be Interested In Signing Two Veteran Guards To Add Backcourt Depth

The New York Knicks will be heading into the 2025-26 season with one of the deepest rosters in the league. By making some noteworthy additions and investing in their key players, the Knicks have ensured that they will remain a contender in the future as well.

Led by Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, the Knicks feature significant depth in each position. But when focusing on roles, New York faces a shortfall in the playmaker department.

To address this, the Knicks reportedly showed an interest in acquiring three-time All-Star Ben Simmons. Unfortunately, with Simmons rejecting New York's offer, the Knicks have had to go back to the drawing board.

Amid their search to address the shortcomings in the backcourt, two targets have garnered New York's interest, per The Consensus' insider report. The report presented Malcolm Brogdon and Landry Shamet as the potential targets, stating:

"The Knicks have interest in Brogdon, though it’s unclear where he’ll ultimately land. The former NBA Rookie of the Year is among the best point guard options remaining on the market." 

"Mutual interest remains between the Knicks and Shamet on a return, which may be the most straightforward path for New York if other options fall through."

While each target has merit, we explore how they could benefit the Knicks in the current scenario.

Brogdon Addresses The Knicks' Immediate Needs

Malcolm Brogdon has garnered a lot of interest as a free agent this summer. From teams like the Golden State Warriors to the Minnesota Timberwolves, Brogdon presents a lot of two-way upside and playmaking potential.

Brogdon has a lot of upside as an experienced guard. At 32, he may be past his prime, but he retains the ability to be a productive piece on the roster. Last season, he averaged 12.7 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 4.1 assists, while shooting 43.3% from the field and 28.6% from three-point territory.

The former ROTY has been hobbled by injuries throughout his career, but this hasn't stopped him from being a contributor in the rotation. During his brief tenure with the Boston Celtics in the 2022-23 campaign, Brogdon cemented his reputation as an asset off the bench, eventually winning the 6MOY award.

On the Knicks, Brogdon could be a solid backup point guard behind Brunson. Currently, New York features a young point guard rotation with Miles McBride and Tyler Kolek. McBride boasts significant defensive and three-point shooting upside, while Kolek possesses all the skills to be a solid floor general. 

While developing Kolek's skills could also prove to be worthwhile, given New York's title window, the Knicks may consider investing in an experienced guard like Brogdon to maximize their chances of winning.

Concerns regarding Brogdon's injury history will remain, as he only appeared in 24 games last season. But considering what he is capable of providing, the Knicks may benefit from signing him, albeit to a team-friendly deal due to their limited cap space.

Shamet Seems To Be The More Likely Option

While Brogdon provides the answer to a key roster requirement, the Knicks' interest in him appears to be quite vague. In this regard, the return of Landry Shamet could be the more likely outcome.

Shamet spent the previous season as a member of the Knicks' bench rotation. Under coach Tom Thibodeau's limited rotation, Shamet received limited playing time. But the veteran shooting guard found a way to contribute even under these restrictions.

For the 2024-25 campaign, Shamet averaged 5.7 points and 1.2 rebounds, while shooting 46.1% from the field and 39.1% from three-point range. In this regard, the 28-year-old appears to be the prototypical 3-and-D player, providing solid perimeter shooting and defense. 

The reported mutual interest between Shamet and the Knicks is bound to culminate in something meaningful. Given New York's preference for wing players and his familiarity with the organization and team, the guard may gain the favor of the organization. 

But considering the arrival of a new head coach in Mike Brown, there is some possibility for the Knicks to explore different alternatives, especially with the addition of Jordan Clarkson.