There is suddenly intrigue again over who will get the New York Knicks' final roster spot.
For weeks, it seemed as if Landry Shamet would get the Knicks' 14th roster spot (due to financial limitations, the Knicks will carry 14 players instead of the maximum of 15). The 27-year-old sharpshooter had made good impressions in training camp, and the Knicks have a need for shooting off the bench following the Karl-Anthony Towns trade.
However, Shamet suffered a potentially serious shoulder injury during the Knicks' Tuesday preseason game against the Charlotte Hornets . Shamet appeared to be in severe pain and was immediately taken back to the locker room. The Knicks haven't yet provided an update on his injury, but Newsday's Steve Popper reported that Shamet was in a sling on Wednesday.
Because Shamet isn't on a guaranteed deal, the Knicks could cut him before the season and only incur a a $15,000 cap charge, according to SNY's Ian Begley .
And if Shamet suffered a serious injury that will keep him out for an extended period of time, it might make sense for the Knicks to look for other options. The Knicks do have T.J. Warren and Chuma Okeke on non-guaranteed training camp deals, and they could be at the front of the line to make the roster, given that they've taken part in training camp.
Warren brings size and is a good midrange scorer, but not a great shooter. Okeke, at 26, also brings size and defense and may still have some untapped potential; however, he is a career 31.8% three-point shooter.
If the Knicks want to look outside their own roster to fill the final spot, two former Knicks who are still free agents may make sense.
Marcus Morris Sr., F/C
The Knicks had signed Morris to a training camp deal earlier this offseason, and reports suggested he had a good chance to make the final roster . However, the Knicks had to waive Morris in the Towns trade, and he declined an offer to sign another training camp deal with the team.
Now Morris, who spent part of one productive season with the Knicks in 2019-20, has a path to making the team. According to Begley, there was "some internal support" for adding Morris to the roster, even before Shamet's injury.
Begley had previously reported that some within the Knicks viewed Morris as a capable backup stretch four or even a stretch five.
At 35, Morris' best days as a perimeter scorer have passed, but he still shot 40% from three with the Philadelphia 76ers and Cleveland Cavaliers last year. And Morris is renowned for his toughness and could bring an edge to a reshaped Knicks team.
If the Knicks view Morris as a 4/5 at this stage of his career, it's unclear how he'd fit into a rotation that will feature OG Anunoby, Precious Achiuwa, and Towns as the Knicks' power forwards and centers.
Reggie Bullock, G/F
To be clear, there hasn't been any reporting linking Bullock to the Knicks.
However, the 33-year-old wing is still a free agent and could make sense for the Knicks. He is familiar with Tom Thibodeau, having spent two seasons with the Knicks from 2019-2021. Bullock started 64 of 65 games in 2020-21, averaged 10.6 points per game, shot 41% three-point shooting, and was the primary perimeter defender on a team that made the playoffs.
After two seasons in Dallas, Bullock played for the Houston Rockets last season but fell out of the rotation. Bullock averaged only 9.5 minutes while appearing in 44 games, but he still shot 40% from three.
If Bullock was still a starting-level 3-and-D wing, he would likely already be signed to a roster. However, as a ninth or 10th man, he could be worth a flier for the Knicks. The Knicks lack wing depth beyond their starting lineup, and Bullock, at 6-foot-6, 205 lb, would fill a glaring hole as a 2/3 off the bench.
Bullock has also frequently been praised as a positive locker room presence.
The severity of Shamet's injury will likely determine if the Knicks add another player. While they're unlikely to pick up anyone who can be a difference-maker, there are some solid, proven players still on the free agent market. Bringing in a player who knows the team and has won Thibodeau's trust before might make sense.
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