Knicks bring back Landry Shamet, waive Matt Ryan

Today at 09:18 PM

A plan put into motion three months ago is conducted for New York.

The preseason rotation plans of the Knicks were blown up after Landry Shamet fell on the ground, writhing in pain after diving for a loose ball in the third quarter of a tune-up against Charlotte. A dislocated shoulder took him out of action and cost him his roster spot, but the plan was always to bring him back when he recovered, as the cash-strapped Knicks could not feasibly keep him and sign a replacement.

After drafting him in the G-League draft to ensure he could rehab in Westchester and a few effective rehab games, the Knicks have pulled the trigger and signed Shamet, per Shams Charania.

Shamet is a six-year veteran who fits in the Cam Payne category of a productive veteran minimum bench player. When Shamet suits up, it'll be his sixth NBA team. He has averages of 8.7 points and 1.7 rebounds in 21.9 minutes a game on 40.8% from the field and 38.4% from 3. He shot a career-low 33.8% from deep last year in Washington, but that needs to be taken with a grain of salt considering the quality of that team.

Shamet played four preseason games, totaling 43 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists in a combined 87 minutes. He shot 35.7% from the field and and 30% from three, but the usage shows how highly they saw him before his shoulder injury.

Shamet returned to game action on December 16 in the G-League and played in three games, averaging 10.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, and 1.7 assists in 25.8 minutes a game, shooting 36.7% from the field and 29.4% from 3. Shamet helped the Westchester Knicks on their run to the G-League Winter Showcase Final, which is later tonight.

You'd figure that Shamet would slide back into where he was in October, joining Payne, McBride, and Achiuwa off the bench. This would hopefully get more rest for guys like Anunoby and Bridges.

Matt Ryan was waived in a corresponding move, as the hard cap at the second apron made it impossible to have both on a standard deal. The exact financials are complicated, but the Knicks are just barely under the second apron. This move was possible because Ryan's deal was non-guaranteed, meaning there is zero dead money if he was released. Ryan could return on a two-way (this seems likely), but it would require one of the current two-way's (Jacob Toppin, Kevin McCullar Jr, Boo Buie) to be released.

Ryan only played a game or two of meaningful minutes before being firmly entrenched with the bench mob. In nine games, Ryan played a total of 45 minutes and scored 15 points, shooting 28.6% from the field and 21.4% from 3.