The New York Knicks have made a notable addition to their roster by signing veteran shooting guard Landry Shamet to a one-year deal. This move brings a seasoned player with a strong track record from beyond the arc to a team that has been actively reshaping its lineup.
An Experienced Marksman
Landry Shamet, who entered the NBA as a first-round pick by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2018, has become a well-traveled player in his six seasons. His journey has seen him mid-way through his rookie season to join the Los Angeles Clippers, and since then, he has become somewhat of a journeyman, with the Knicks marking his sixth team in eight years. During this period, Shamet has carved out a reputation as a reliable shooter from long range, boasting a career three-point shooting percentage of 38.4%.
Last season, while playing for the Washington Wizards, Shamet recorded a three-point shooting percentage of 33.8% over 46 games. Although this figure is below his career average, the Knicks will be hoping Shamet can rediscover his best form and add some much-needed shooting prowess to their backcourt.
Three-Point Strategy
The Knicks’ focus on three-point shooting is evident from their performance last season. They ranked 13th in the league in three-point attempts per game, averaging 35.8 attempts. However, their three-point shooting percentage placed them 14th at 36.9%. This demonstrates a clear strategy by the Knicks to bolster their perimeter shooting and add depth to their roster.
One key factor from last season was the contribution of Donte DiVincenzo and Jalen Brunson, who accounted for 42% of the Knicks' long-range attempts. Despite their efforts, the team recognizes the need for additional firepower from beyond the arc to compete at a higher level in the league.
New Faces and Veteran Presence
To further support this strategy, the Knicks have made several acquisitions this offseason. In addition to Shamet, they also signed backup point guard Cameron Payne, who has a respectable career three-point shooting percentage of 36.9%. Payne's addition provides the Knicks with another reliable option from the perimeter, potentially easing the offensive burden on their primary playmakers.
Additionally, the Knicks made a significant move by acquiring Mikal Bridges earlier this summer. Bridges comes with his career three-point shooting percentage of 37.5%, further enhancing the Knicks' capability to spread the floor and create scoring opportunities from deep.
Challenges and Expectations
While the Knicks have certainly added quality shooters to their lineup, some challenges remain. Julius Randle, one of the team's key players, made 31.1% of his three-point attempts last season, averaging more than five shots from beyond the arc per game. Increasing his efficiency could be crucial for the Knicks to better their overall three-point shooting percentage.
Despite these hurdles, the Knicks' current roster changes show a clear direction toward optimizing their long-range shooting game. With Shamet, Payne, and Bridges, the Knicks have diversified their offensive arsenal, aiming to improve their standing in a highly competitive league.
As the season approaches, the Knicks will be eager to see how these new additions gel with the team's core. The potential is there for the Knicks to transform their offensive dynamics, becoming a more formidable threat from beyond the arc. Whether these moves translate into greater success on the court will be one of the key storylines to follow in the upcoming NBA season.