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 mathematical foresight of team capologist Brock Aller, who has drawn praise around the league for navigating the new CBA and its apron restrictions.
“Brock has been terrific,” said Thibodeau, also a former team president with the Timberwolves. “It’s been great execution of a plan. It’s five years in the making. It’s accumulating the draft capital, and looking at the opportunities and going step by step and figuring out the things you can do.
“And it’s not easy. It’s your immediate plan and also your future plan. You have to look at it in almost three different ways. There’s the basketball standpoint, what does it mean for what’s on the floor? Then there’s the financial impact. Then there’s also the penalty aspect that you have to look at as well. So all three things before you make a decision you have to dig deep on. So they’ve done a great job.”
Aller, per sources, is often the Knicks representative and negotiator talking with agents.
He joined the Knicks from the Cavaliers in 2020.
Aller was reportedly offered a front office gig last season with the Hornets, who the Knicks face Sunday in their preseason opener. But Aller stuck with the Knicks and helped negotiate two trades — one for Bridges, the other for Towns — while keeping the Knicks below the second apron.
All of the Knicks’ projected starting five is signed through at least 2026. Four of them are signed until at least 2028.
“[Aller] does a great job on his part,” Brunson said. “We applaud him for it, and we’ve just gotta go out there and do our part on the floor.”
