Knicks just got crushing news about a key prospect

Landry Shamet is now the frontrunner to secure one of the New York Knicks' final two roster spots, according to SNY's Ian Begley. This potential signing addresses the team's need for a perimeter player who can provide spacing and play minutes at shooting guard and small forward. Shamet's signing became feasible financially because Guerschon Yabusele accepted slightly less than the mini mid-level exception, freeing up the Knicks to use a veteran minimum contract.

However, this path requires the Knicks to use their 14th roster spot on a rookie-minimum contract, automatically ruling out Kevin McCullar Jr. McCullar, who spent last season on a two-way contract, accrued a year of service. This means he qualifies for a higher minimum salary (over $2 million) rather than the rookie minimum. Furthermore, he is ineligible for the second-round exception because he has already signed one contract; that exception is only for a player's initial contract.

The Knicks face a salary cap bind if they wanted to sign both Shamet (minimum salary ~$2.3 million) and McCullar (one-year service minimum ~$2.05 million), totaling roughly $4.4 million. The team is currently only $3.7 million below the second salary apron threshold. To accommodate both, the Knicks would need to shed about $700,000 in payroll while maintaining a roster spot, realistically only achievable by converting the contracts of rookies Tyler Kolek or Pacome Dadiet into cheaper deals.

While McCullar cannot make the opening night roster if Shamet signs, his Knicks tenure isn't necessarily over. He remains eligible to sign another two-way contract. Additionally, the Knicks front office is skilled at navigating the CBA's rules, potentially operating below the 14-player limit early in the season to save money. This could open the door for McCullar to join the official roster later in the season. However, adding him to the main roster before the 2025-26 season is officially off the table if Shamet joins.