Knicks officially outduel Lakers for historic 6-foot-5 playoff hero, NBA champion

Jul 12, 2026 - 00:45

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Knicks officially outduel Lakers for historic 6-foot-5 playoff hero, NBA champion originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Los Angeles Lakers knew they needed more wing depth in 2026-27 to not only appease Luka Doncic but to keep the franchise in the mix for a championship.

The 17-time NBA champions answered the bell by signing Collin Sexton and Quentin Grimes to fill their notable perimeter void (Grimes’ signing became official on Tuesday, while Sexton’s has yet to become finalized).

Before those signings, though, the Lakers had their sights set on pursuing the New York Knicks historic 6-foot-5 playoff hero (he’s now made the most threes in a single Knicks postseason) and NBA champion guard, Laundry Shamet (per a report from ESPN’s Dave McMenamin).

On June 29, though, ESPN’s Vincent Goodwill reported that the former unrestricted free agent planned to re-sign with the Knicks on a four-year, $24 million deal, forcing Los Angeles to pivot. The deal became official on Monday.

“The New York Knicks announced today that the team has re-signed Landry Shamet,” the franchise’s press release read. “Shamet, 29-years-old (6-5, 198-pounds), averaged 9.3 points (39.2% three-point shooting percentage), 1.8 rebounds, and 1.4 assists over 23.0 minutes in 51 games (12 starts) for the New York Knicks this past season.”

“During the 2026 NBA Championship run, he averaged 6.0 points (47.5% three-point shooting percentage) and 1.1 rebounds over 16.3 minutes in 19 games. Shamet totaled 29 three-pointers during the 2026 postseason, becoming the franchise leader for the most three-pointers made in a single postseason. He registered a career-high 36 points, three assists, and two rebounds vs. Miami (Nov 14, 2025), tying Bernard King and J.R. Smith for the 10th most points scored off the bench in franchise history.”

Without Shamet’s game-tying, late fourth quarter corner three vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals, there’s a good chance the franchise could have fallen short and started the series off on a sour note.

Fortunately for the Knicks, they have no reason to live in would've, could've, should’ve land, as Shamet knotted the game at 99 and the Knicks, who later forced overtime, eventually completed a 22-point comeback to take a 1-0 series lead.

There’s no question that the former Philadelphia 76ers guard’s sharpshooting tendencies paid dividends for New York last postseason, as they provided them with a knockdown second-unit perimeter shooting weapon unafraid of the big stage.

Shamet was one of only 16 playoff contributors to shoot 45% or better from beyond the arc in the 2026 playoffs. For that reason, it’s safe to say the Knicks are glad to have him back in the fold.

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