Knicks May Have Found Their Most Underrated Weapon: Landry Shamet Proves He Can Make an Impact Without Scoring Big

Landry Shamet impressed beyond his shooting struggles against Toronto. Discover why his all-around game could earn him valuable Knicks rotation minutes.

The New York Knicks are entering the 2026-27 NBA season with championship expectations, and while the spotlight remains firmly on Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns and the team’s established stars, the battle for minutes within Mike Brown’s second unit could become one of the most intriguing storylines of the year.

Among the players fighting to establish a consistent role, Landry Shamet is making an interesting case.

The veteran guard did not deliver a spectacular shooting performance during New York’s 122-120 preseason victory over the Toronto Raptors. In fact, his struggles from three-point range were impossible to ignore.

But his overall contribution revealed something that could prove particularly valuable for a team attempting to defend its NBA championship.

Shamet demonstrated that he can remain useful even when his outside shot is not falling.

And in a crowded Knicks backcourt featuring Miles McBride, Jose Alvarado and Jordan Clarkson, that kind of versatility could help determine how Mike Brown distributes playing time.

Landry Shamet Shows Why the Knicks Need More Than Just Three-Point Shooting

Shamet finished the victory over Toronto with 13 points in just over 24 minutes, shooting 3-for-8 from the field and connecting on only one of his five three-point attempts.

For a player whose offensive reputation has largely been built around perimeter shooting, those numbers might initially appear disappointing.

However, looking exclusively at his shooting percentages would overlook several important aspects of his performance.

Shamet found other ways to contribute offensively, particularly through his ability to draw fouls and convert opportunities at the free-throw line.

He attempted seven free throws and made six, allowing him to maintain a respectable scoring contribution despite struggling from beyond the arc.

That willingness to attack and generate points without relying entirely on jump shots could become an important part of his value.

Even more encouraging was his decision-making.

Shamet recorded three assists without committing a single turnover, demonstrating the kind of ball security that can make a reserve guard particularly useful in a structured offensive system.

New York finished the contest with 19 turnovers as a team, an area that will undoubtedly require attention as the regular season approaches.

While Shamet cannot single-handedly solve those problems, his ability to handle possessions responsibly provides another reason for Brown to trust him in certain situations.

He also contributed two steals, showing activity on the defensive end and helping generate opportunities through his awareness and effort.

Those plays do not automatically establish him as an elite defender, but they demonstrate that his impact was not limited to scoring.

Shamet finished with a plus-14 rating, another encouraging element of his performance.

That figure should be interpreted carefully, since plus-minus depends heavily on lineup combinations and game circumstances. Nevertheless, it reflects a successful stretch for New York while he was on the floor.

For a championship contender, reliable contributions from the second unit can be just as important as occasional explosive scoring performances.

The Knicks already possess several players capable of taking over games offensively.

What they also need are reserves who can protect possessions, maintain spacing, make intelligent decisions and contribute defensively without requiring a large number of shots.

Shamet’s performance against Toronto provided a glimpse of how he could fulfill that role.

Mike Brown Faces a Difficult Decision With Shamet, McBride and Alvarado

The biggest obstacle standing between Shamet and a consistent place in New York’s rotation is the impressive competition surrounding him.

Miles McBride and Jose Alvarado also delivered encouraging performances against Toronto, giving Brown several attractive options as he prepares to finalize his regular-season plans.

McBride scored nine points in approximately 13 minutes, connecting on three of his six attempts from beyond the arc.

His combination of perimeter shooting, defensive intensity and familiarity with New York’s system makes him an important piece of the Knicks’ backcourt.

Alvarado was equally effective offensively, finishing with nine points while converting all three of his three-point attempts.

The Brooklyn native brings a different dimension through his aggressive ball pressure, energy and ability to organize the offense.

Those contrasting strengths create an interesting tactical question.

Shamet offers off-ball movement, shooting potential and the ability to function within lineups that already feature established playmakers.

McBride provides defensive versatility and perimeter scoring, while Alvarado contributes additional ball-handling and disruptive defensive pressure.

Clarkson, meanwhile, gives the Knicks another experienced scorer capable of generating offense from the bench.

Rather than viewing the competition as a simple ranking of individual players, Brown must determine which combinations provide the greatest balance.

Against certain opponents, New York may need McBride’s defensive presence.

In other situations, Alvarado’s ball pressure and playmaking could become particularly valuable.

Shamet’s ability to operate without dominating possessions may prove useful alongside Brunson or other offensive creators.

The veteran guard still needs to demonstrate that his outside shooting can remain a dependable weapon over a larger sample of games.

One successful preseason performance in other areas does not erase the importance of three-point efficiency, especially for someone expected to help stretch opposing defenses.

However, the Toronto matchup offered an important reminder that a player’s overall value cannot always be measured by his shooting totals.

Shamet contributed through free throws, passing, defensive activity and possession management on a night when his perimeter shot was unreliable.

That does not guarantee him a permanent rotation spot, nor does it mean he should automatically receive more minutes than McBride or Alvarado.

It does, however, give Brown another reason to consider him when constructing different lineups.

For the defending champions, maintaining a productive bench will be essential during the demanding 82-game regular season.

Injuries, difficult matchups and inevitable shooting slumps will require the coaching staff to rely on players who can contribute in multiple ways.

Shamet’s challenge is to turn Thursday’s encouraging all-around performance into consistent production.

If he succeeds, the Knicks could have another valuable option capable of making a difference without needing to dominate the scoreboard.

New York’s championship defense will ultimately depend on its stars, but the contributions of players like Shamet could help determine how effectively the team handles the challenges ahead.

And sometimes, the most important performance from a reserve is not the one featuring the most points.

It is the one in which he finds a way to help his team win despite struggling with the skill for which he is best known.