As the New York Knicks stand on the brink of basketball immortality, a chilling reality is reportedly creeping into the front office’s war room. While fans are still buzzing over the team’s commanding 2-0 lead in the 2026 NBA Finals, sources close to the organization claim that a looming free-agency threat could gut the very roster that made this historic run possible.
The name on everyone’s lips? Landry Shamet. The 29-year-old guard, who was nearly cut from the squad last October, has somehow transformed into one of the most lethal role players in recent playoff history. And according to multiple league insiders, rival teams are already sharpening their knives, ready to pry him away from New York the moment free agency opens on June 30.
The Man Who Changed Everything
It’s almost hard to believe now, but Shamet’s place on this Knicks roster was far from guaranteed. Head coach Mike Brown admitted to reporters that when he reached out to Shamet last offseason, the conversation was vague at best. “There are only so many roster spots,” Brown said at the time, hinting that the veteran was fighting for his career.
Fast forward a few months, and Shamet is shooting a blistering 55% from the floor and a jaw-dropping 50% from deep in the postseason. He’s also been the Knicks’ secret weapon on the road—where supporting players typically disappear. Instead, he’s dropped 30 combined points against the Cavaliers in Cleveland, shooting over 80% from the field in enemy territory.
Shamet’s Postseason Heroics Have Everyone Talking
In New York’s first two Finals wins over the San Antonio Spurs, Shamet drained three triples in each game, delivering clutch shot after clutch shot. One unnamed scout told us: “He’s not just a role player anymore. He’s the kind of guy who can swing a championship series. Teams are absolutely circling for him—it’s only a matter of time.”
According to renowned NBA reporter Marc Stein, the interest is very real. “External suitors are already starting to circle in anticipation of pursuing him in free agency,” Stein wrote in his latest report. And with the Knicks holding only Early Bird rights on Shamet, they can offer a starting salary of 105% of the league’s average—but that cap could push past $10 million annually if push comes to shove.
Could the Knicks Afford to Let Him Walk?
That’s the billion-dollar question hanging over Madison Square Garden right now. If Shamet walks, the Knicks lose more than just a hot shooter—they lose the guy who reportedly held the locker room together during the toughest stretches of the Cavaliers series. They lose a player who went from roster bubble to playoff hero in less than eight months.
One front-office insider, speaking on condition of anonymity, speculated: “If they let him go, it could haunt them for years. This isn’t just about numbers—it’s about chemistry, about that guy who makes everyone else better. You don’t find that easily.”
For now, Shamet is staying locked in. Game 3 of the Finals tips off Monday at 8:30 p.m. ET, and the former Wichita State standout reportedly told teammates he’s not thinking about the money. But sources say his agent has already fielded multiple calls from teams eager to blow the Knicks’ offer out of the water.
What’s Next?
The Knicks are reportedly bracing for an all-out bidding war. With Shamet’s Early Bird rights giving them a slight edge, they could still match any offer—but if a desperate team throws a shocking number at him, New York may have to make a painful choice. And with the Finals still ongoing, the clock is ticking on one of the most dramatic free-agency subplots in recent memory.
For now, Knicks Nation can only hope this Cinderella story doesn’t turn into a nightmare the moment the confetti falls.
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