The Phoenix Suns’ ill-fated Bradley Beal blockbuster trade has already gone down as one of the worst deals in franchise history.
While it’s true that many of the draft pick swaps included may never convey to the Washington Wizards as they flounder at the bottom of the standings, an asset who was a throw-in piece of the Beal trade is now quietly thriving with an Eastern Conference contender.
Landry Shamet, an NBA journeyman who’s still played more games in a Suns uniform (109) than for any other franchise, has been a difference-making role player for the New York Knicks.
In a piece by James L. Edwards III for The Athletic (subscription required), he even goes so far as to say Shamet “might be the best vet-minimum signing in the NBA.”
Edwards reports that even before two-time Coach of the Year Mike Brown was hired by the Knicks, he was singing Shamet’s praises.
“I watched the tape before I got the job,” Brown said of Shamet. “I was a fan of his. I saw the things he did out on the floor last year, and I was like, ‘Wow. This guy can be really good on both ends of the floor.’ That was something I came in saying during my interview process.”
Brown — who’s won four NBA championships as an assistant coach — sticking his neck out for a guy the Suns added as a throw-in to a blockbuster deal shows precisely why he’s had success coaching at the highest level of competition.
Landry Shamet is thriving on a veteran minimum contract with the Knicks
Sure enough, Brown’s been proven right.
In his first season as Knicks head coach after three seasons heading up the Sacramento Kings, Brown has been rewarded for his faith with Shamet’s play. The shooting guard is converting a career-best 42.2% of his 3-point tries this season and sports an effective field goal percentage of 60% (also the best mark of his career).
Shamet’s also been a contributor on the defensive end of the court, as Knicks opponents have an offensive rating that’s 3.8 points per 100 possessions better when Shamet sits on the bench.
That two-way impact is exactly what every coach in the league is looking for in their players. If you aren’t contributing on the defensive side of the ball, you better be pouring in points on offense to offset that shortcoming. Otherwise, you’re unlikely to keep a roster spot in a league with so much talent across the board.
Shamet’s contributions on the vet minimum are a big reason why the Knicks are title contenders in the Eastern Conference. You need those types of depth pieces to step up if you’re going to compete. Edwards shouted out Suns’ point guard Collin Gillespie as another vet minimum guy making a huge impact this season.
What Shamet brings to the Knicks is showing up on the court, but his impact on the locker room was a point of emphasis in Edwards’ reporting.
“He’s praised for his approach to games and practices. He’s applauded for how he carries himself when no one is looking. He’s one of those players who comes early and stays late,” Edwards wrote of Shamet, citing what teammates and colleagues said of his work ethic.
Edwards writes that a common descriptor for Shamet is that he’s a “true professional,” which Knicks star point guard Jalen Brunson echoed by saying that's not a quality all pro players have.
“It’s not as common (as you would think),” Brunson said of Shamet’s professionalism, according to Edwards. “It’s more than showing up every day. If you’re doing the bare minimum, you’re not a true professional.”
Shamet was packaged by Phoenix along with Chris Paul in the Beal deal with the Wizards, a move that only looks worse as Shamet earns praise from his coach and star teammates. As Edwards notes, Shamet salvaged an otherwise dreadful offseason for the Knicks. They brought in Guerschon Yabusele (who has since been traded) and Jordan Clarkson (who hasn't shot the ball well and has mostly been getting his minutes out of necessity due to injuries).
The Suns’ roster is now flush with guards, so a guy like Shamet would probably be lost in the shuffle in Phoenix. However, Suns fans have to wonder if the Kevin Durant era in The Valley would have played out differently if Shamet’s shooting and Paul’s leadership as a floor general were still on board with KD instead of the oft-injured Beal.
As a "true professional" who plays hard, is highly regarded by his coach and teammates, all while playing a meaningful role on a contender, Shamet is proving himself among the most valuable signings relative to his contract in the league.
Knicks fans, thanks to Brown's talent evaluation, are the beneficiaries.