The New York Knicks have strengthened their wing rotation by bringing back Landry Shamet and signing guard Garrison Mathews to one-year, non-guaranteed deals, league sources told The Post on Thursday. Both signings set up an intriguing camp battle for the final roster spots.
Shamet’s Comeback Story Takes Another Chapter
Shamet’s return was hardly a surprise—the organization had been eyeing his comeback for months after he carved out a rotation role during last season’s playoff run. The 28-year-old guard bounced back impressively from a separated shoulder he suffered almost exactly a year ago during preseason workouts. His recovery took an interesting detour when he stayed around the New York area, even picking up freelance photography work at the U.S. Open—no pay, just passion for the craft.
During his abbreviated season, Shamet put up 5.7 points across 50 games. He’s built a tight bond with fellow wing Mikal Bridges, who just locked up a massive $150 million extension to stay in the Big Apple.
Mathews Brings Elite Shooting to Camp Mix
Garrison Mathews, also 28, decided to join the Knicks’ training camp after weighing several options. The sharpshooter has called Atlanta home for most of the past three seasons and boasts an impressive 38.2% career mark from deep. His most productive stretch came during the 2021-22 season in Houston, where he averaged 10 points across 26 minutes per game in 65 appearances—33 of those as a starter.
The Post first broke news of Mathews’ signing, which his representative Dave Bauman later confirmed. His arrival creates a direct head-to-head competition with Shamet for backcourt minutes.
Roster Math and Salary Cap Puzzle
The Knicks currently sit with 12 guaranteed contracts on their books and can carry as many as 15, plus three available two-way slots. Coming out of camp, expect New York to convert either Shamet or Mathews to a guaranteed deal. Their salary cap situation limits them to signing just one player without NBA experience—rookie Mohamed Diawara fits that description.
Even with tight financial constraints, the Knicks keep scanning the market for veteran backup point guards. Malcolm Brogdon remains an attractive target still floating in free agency. Any move for a player of Brogdon’s caliber would likely require creative maneuvering, but cap specialist Brock Aller has earned a reputation for finding creative solutions within the collective bargaining agreement’s framework.
Ben Simmons Chapter Closes Quietly
Prior to locking up Shamet and Mathews, the Knicks had kicked the tires on Ben Simmons, whose availability had created some buzz around the league. Yet Simmons seemed hesitant about committing to any NBA team this season and even floated the possibility of taking the year off, according to earlier reporting by The Post. The Knicks have since moved on from that pursuit entirely.
Coaching Staff Additions and Player Development Focus
The organization has locked down its coaching structure by keeping head coach Mike Brown and his core staff intact, including assistants Chris Jent, Brendan O’Connor, and Rick Brunson. Darren Erman will stick around but shift into a reduced capacity.
In a notable hire, the team brought in Billy Lange as their new head of player development. Lange stepped away from his head coaching role at St. Joseph’s University for this opportunity. His resume includes valuable time as a key assistant with Philadelphia during the “Process” years, where he worked extensively with players like Robert Covington, Jerami Grant, Jahlil Okafor, and Michael Carter-Williams. His earlier stint at Villanova helped him forge a strong relationship with point guard Kyle Lowry.
What’s Next on the Calendar
Media Day lands on September 23, with a minicamp following at the team’s Tarrytown practice facility. The Knicks will then jet off to Abu Dhabi for a pair of preseason matchups against Philadelphia on October 2 and 4. These roster additions should give New York better depth as they gear up for another season of championship aspirations.
