The New York Knicks have had a quiet offseason and have only made moves in NBA free agency this offseason. For the longest of time, rumors about how New York intends to fill their final roster spot in the 15-member squad had been rampant. Players like Michael Brogdon and Landry Shamet had been consistently linked, with one name especially attracting attention: the 2016 NBA Draft’s NO. 1 pick, Ben Simmons.

According to reports, New York had offered him a veteran minimum deal, but the former All-Star declined, with reports later claiming that a formal offer was never submitted. Still, that left the Knicks with a final roster vacancy and a limited pool of realistic choices. Every move had to fit under the second apron, which restricted flexibility. Now however, clarity has arrived.

That’s where the news broke. @ShamsCharania took to X and posted: “Free agent guard Landry Shamet has agreed to a one-year deal to return to the New York Knicks, his agent George S. Langberg of GSL Sports Group tells ESPN. Shamet stays with the Knicks for his 8th NBA season.” The deal ended speculation and filled the team’s last opening. Shamet had played 50 games for New York last season, averaging 5.7 points and 1.2 rebounds while shooting nearly 40 percent from deep.

Shamet’s signing carries clear context. The 27-year-old guard has carved out a career as a reliable rotation shooter since being drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in 2018. He has also suited up for the Clippers, Nets, Suns, and Wizards. Last season with the Knicks, he logged 15.2 minutes per game and shot 46 percent from the field. Across his career, he has averaged 7.7 points on 39 percent three-point shooting. His return provides much-needed spacing behind the team’s primary guards.

Simmons’ situation only complicated matters further. He was dropped by his agent Bernie Lee and is now reportedly considering his NBA future, with even retirement seen as a realistic option for the 29-year-old Australian International. Regardless, the Knicks clearly believe in their core and entered the offseason looking to add depth. While Simmons, when fit and firing and closer to his former self would have been a clear option, that did not appear to be on the table.

The choice also reflects New York’s final stance on Simmons. Simmons averaged 5.0 points, 5.6 assists, and 4.7 rebounds across 51 games last season with Brooklyn and Los Angeles. Four years removed from his All-Star peak, he is still searching for a contract. New York’s patience ended with Shamet’s one-year deal, giving them a shooter instead of a question mark. With that move, the Knicks locked their roster heading into camp.

Knicks’ cap constraints shape decision

The Knicks’ financial situation shaped every choice. After signing forward Guerschon Yabusele to a two-year deal worth around $12 million, New York sat just $3.7 million under the $207.8 million second apron. Stefan Bondy reported Yabusele’s deal came in slightly below the full taxpayer mid-level exception, leaving the Knicks with room for only a veteran minimum contract. That reality made Simmons’ alleged rejection especially notable.

Operating above the luxury tax and the first apron left the Knicks with strict limits. They could not aggregate contracts in trades, use sign-and-trade deals, or rely on cash in transactions. As ESPN’s Bobby Marks noted, teams at this level “can only afford a veteran minimum contract”. That meant New York’s options boiled down to a handful of players willing to accept the lowest available salary. Shamet, with his prior stint on the roster and proven shooting, fit that narrow path perfectly.

The Knicks’ offseason strategy has centered on careful additions without breaking financial rules. They signed Jordan Clarkson for added scoring and drafted Mohamed Diawara at No. 51, but avoided large contracts. Shamet’s one-year minimum deal aligned with that model. It filled the last roster spot, preserved compliance with the second apron restrictions, and gave the Knicks a dependable shooter heading into the season. In the end, their cap constraints closed the door on Simmons and cleared the way for Shamet’s return.