CHARLESTON, S.C. — Training camp reiterated the clear front-runner for a final roster spot.
Landry Shamet, who is operating on a non-guaranteed deal, has been repeatedly referenced by coach Tom Thibodeau as a shining member of the reserves after sessions at The Citadel. The Knicks must fill at least two roster spots before the regular season, but only one will go to a veteran like Shamet because of the luxury-tax implications. The second will likely go to a player currently on a two-way contract, either Jacob Toppin, Ariel Hukporti or Kevin McCullar Jr.
“I don’t make the final decision on that, but I’m basing it on what [Shamet’s] done on the floor. He’s really done well,” Thibodeau said. “The second unit, as I said, I’m anxious to see him as well because I’ve seen what they’ve done in practice and they’ve really done well together as a unit.
So I want to see that in a game situation. But he’s done a really good job. “He has really good chemistry with Cam [Payne], and then when you put Deuce [McBride] into that, they’re very fast.
You can play with a lot of speed.” Thibodeau added that Precious Achiuwa and Jericho Sims have also been running with the second unit. It’s a sign of Thibodeau’s nine-man rotation: Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, OG Anunoby, Josh Hart, Karl-Anthony Towns, McBride, Achiuwa, Payne, Shamet and Sims.
“I think it’ll be a very strong unit for us,” Thibodeau said. The Knicks’ two offseason blockbusters required the.
