Landry Shamet has an official analysis with an vital deadline on the horizon.
As anticipated, the Knicks backup guard suffered a dislocated shoulder in Tuesday’s preseason sport, the Knicks introduced, and he’s nonetheless “gathering data” on the choices, based on Tom Thibodeau.
The large query is whether or not Shamet will bear surgical procedure, a conundrum acquainted to Knicks followers who adopted Julius Randle’s restoration saga from a dislocated shoulder final season.
Since Shamet is on a non-guaranteed deal, the Knicks will solely be on the hook for $15,000 of his $2.6 million deal if he’s waived by Saturday at 5 p.m., a league supply confirmed.
If he’s not waived, the Knicks incur a per-day cost towards the cap.
“It’s a dislocated shoulder and he’s nonetheless gathering data as to what the subsequent steps are,” Thibodeau stated. “Clearly, we really feel very strongly about him and what he did. So no matter it’s, no matter is in entrance of you — should you’re coping with an harm, lock into that and deal with the rehab and get your self able to go once more.”
Requested whether or not he expects Shamet to be on the roster for the common season, Thibodeau stated, “I don’t know what all the knowledge is. I’m basing it on what I’ve at the moment. It’s a dislocated shoulder. He’s nonetheless gathering data and so we’re simply going from there. So he’s already attacking the rehab. And I like that. He wants extra data as properly.”
There are a number of choices with Shamet, who was on monitor to be an vital rotation participant earlier than the harm.
They may maintain the 27-year-old on the roster till he will get wholesome.
That wouldn’t make sense if he undergoes surgical procedure, which is usually a six-month restoration from a torn labrum.
It additionally wouldn’t make sense if the Knicks doubt Shamet can regain full capability with out surgical procedure.
Another choice is to waive Shamet and use his spot for one more veteran participant, whether or not on the present roster (TJ Warren), a present free agent (Marcus Morris, as an illustration) or a participant who will turn into a free agent (Lonnie Walker IV could possibly be waived by the Celtics earlier than the opener for luxury-tax causes).
The Knicks have 12 gamers on assured contracts and must get to 14 for the regular-season opener. Rosters for opening day are due by Oct. 21.
Randle, who was traded to the Timberwolves final month, went by a course of much like Shamet’s.
After visiting a number of docs, he tried to return with out surgical procedure however suffered a setback throughout rehab and in the end went beneath the knife.
On Thursday, Shamet posted on Instagram that he’ll be “again quickly.”
He wasn’t with the Knicks for Friday’s preseason sport towards the Wizards.
“Recognize the entire prayers and properly needs,” Shamet wrote. “That is simply the subsequent impediment and to be afraid of an impediment would go towards every part that I’m — I welcome them. I’m attacking this rehab. Again quickly.”
If Shamet is waived, veteran Cam Payne is the frontrunner to turn into the second guard/wing off the bench behind Miles McBride.
Rookie Tyler Kolek additionally has a possibility for minutes.
