Landry Shamet cementing hold on Knicks final roster spot

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 ...