Landry Shamet lands NBA return after G League stint

Veteran sharpshooter Landry Shamet has made his way back to the NBA, signing a contract with the New York Knicks after recovering from a dislocated shoulder injury suffered during the preseason. 

The 27-year-old guard, who had to drop down to the G League for the first time in his career following his injury, was initially waived by the Knicks after his injury. He then joined their affiliate team, the Westchester Knicks, where his rights were secured when he was selected with the second overall pick in the 2024 G League draft.

Westchester had previously chosen Matt Ryan with the first overall pick, but after Ryan failed to make an impact during his brief NBA call-up earlier this season, he was waived to make room for Shamet.

In his short stint with Westchester, Shamet played three games, averaging 10.7 points, three rebounds and 1.7 assists, though his shooting numbers were less than impressive. 

Throughout his G League appearances, the Knicks coaching staff and front office kept a close eye on Shamet's progress, awaiting the right moment to promote him back to the NBA roster.

The former first-round pick played 46 games for the Washington Wizards last season, averaging 7.1 points on 43.1 percent shooting. Over his six NBA seasons, he has averaged 8.7 points per game and shot 38.4 percent from beyond the arc. 

His offensive skills are expected to bolster a Knicks bench that currently ranks last in the league in bench scoring, averaging just 20.4 points per game.

If Shamet's return to the NBA doesn't pan out, the Knicks may turn to their G League affiliate again for additional offensive help. Westchester also rosters T.J. Warren, one of the top scorers in the G League this season.

The 31-year-old is averaging 25.1 points per game, including 2.4 three-pointers, 6.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.9 steals. He has had three consecutive 30-point games, all on over 50 percent shooting.

His impressive G League performance isn't entirely surprising given his NBA experience, but what sets him apart is his dedication to rebuilding his career in the United States instead of pursuing more lucrative opportunities abroad. 

Despite his strong showing, however, Warren finds himself further down the ladder for an NBA call-up, as Shamet's promotion demonstrates the Knicks' current focus. 

With the team now looking to add more offensive firepower, the veteran scorer may soon be the next player to earn a shot at the NBA.