It’s been more than two weeks since the New York Knicks started calling themselves reigning NBA champions. It’s less than two days since free-agency festivities kick off, starting with negotiations between franchises and FAs at 3 p.m. ET tomorrow and the official opening of the market at 6 p.m. ET.
And while it’s reasonable for all of us to keep basking in the glory of the title, the focus must quickly shift from celebration to roster building, which already started with last week’s draft decisions,
and particularly with the self-imposed financial constraints the Knicks’ front office will need to navigate.
The two most prominent free agents in New York’s books are both backups in center Mitchell Robinson and guard Landry Shamet, both of whom are going to have strong markets out there with multiple suitors interested in their services.
We’ve been discussing Robinson’s situation during the past few days, and you can find everything about it here (his comments) and here (his free-agent market, suitors, and reported clash between Dolan and the FO).
This post is all about Landry Shamet and how his situation might impact what’s next for the New York Knicks.
According to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto, Shamet is expected to draw significant interest across the league. Emphasis mine:
“Given his strong play during the regular season and the title run, Landry Shamet is expected to have a robust market in free agency with numerous teams interested. Shamet, despite being beloved by Knicks coach Mike Brown and the front office, is not a lock to return to the Knicks, however.”
Scotto added that rival teams are “salivating at the possibility of prying Shamet away” from New York following his strong regular season and playoff performances.
Although Scotto didn’t name any particular suitors, the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson mentioned the Miami Heat as a candidate to offer him a deal as they “try to add at least two skilled three-point shooters.”
Shamet’s value surged massively during his second season with New York, as he averaged 9.3 points and two three-pointers per game in the regular season (shooting 39.2% from three), then elevated his efficiency in the playoffs by shooting 47.5% from beyond the arc.
Shamet can space the floor and would fit seamlessly into any team that grabs him, as he proved by showcasing his talents in Mike Brown’s squad throughout the 2026 title season. All things considered, Scotto noted what we all are fearing around these places: retaining both Shamet and Mitchell Robinson is considered unlikely if the Knicks maintain their stance against exceeding the second apron, and even bringing back one of them might be hard depending on the market both UFAs find on June 30.
Following the extensions of Mo Diawara and Jose Alvarado, and not counting the likely-minimum deals offered to rookies Tyler Nickel and Jack Kayil, New York has roughly $14 million in space below the second apron while still needing to fill four roster spots.
The expectation is for Robinson to command offers at or above the $15 million mid-level exception, while Shamet has been projected to receive a new contract starting at around $8 million per year, potentially more if a bidding war emerges.
For context, minimum-value contracts for second-round rookies and free agents start at $1.36 million, meaning re-signing Shamet to an $8 million deal, as well as the two rookies for a combined $2.75 million, would leave the Knicks with just $3.25 million to fill the remaining roster spot and sign a backup center to replace Robinson. Even if Shamet signs for a discount (and let’s be honest, fairly unrealistic) deal around $6 million, the Knicks would still have just around $5.25 million waiting for their backup center.
In that context, Shamet’s rising market may ultimately price him out of New York’s plans, regardless of how highly he is regarded internally, as bringing him back would put the Knicks in a very tight cap situation to bring a capable free agent to replace Robinson as the team’s first center off the pine.
You can follow Antonio on Twitter at @chapulana.
