Knicks predicted to add player compared to Landry Shamet
Knicks Linked to NC State Sharpshooter in Latest 2026 Mock Draft
While the New York Knicks remain locked into the grind of the 2025-26 regular season, the organization’s scouting department is already hard at work evaluating the next wave of talent. With the 2026 NBA Draft on the horizon, early projections are beginning to take shape, and a recent mock draft has linked the franchise to a rising collegiate prospect with a familiar player comparison.
According to the latest analysis from Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman, the Knicks are predicted to select NC State Wolfpack guard Matt Able with the No. 18 overall pick. Able, a 6-foot-6 shooting guard, has seen his stock rise significantly during the college season, drawing attention for his perimeter scoring and offensive polish. What makes the connection particularly intriguing for New York faithful is the pro comparison attached to his scouting report: veteran sharpshooter Landry Shamet.
The comparison suggests a specific role for Able at the next level—a movement shooter who understands how to operate without the ball. Wasserman notes that while Able’s primary draw is his jump shot, he operates with a "notable sense of poise and intelligence." Much like Shamet, who has carved out a lengthy NBA career by constantly moving around screens and relocating for open looks, Able is praised for taking smart escape dribbles and making high-IQ passing reads.
For the Knicks, adding a player in the mold of Shamet makes tactical sense. In a league increasingly dominated by spacing, having a reliable wing who can stretch the floor without demanding high usage is a luxury. While some critics might view the Shamet comparison as a modest ceiling, it highlights a floor of immediate rotation viability. Shamet has remained a fixture on NBA rosters for years precisely because of the skills Able currently displays at the collegiate level.
As the college basketball season progresses, Knicks fans may want to keep a close eye on NC State games. If Able continues to display the touch and basketball IQ that scouts are raving about, he could very well be the next perimeter weapon to call Madison Square Garden home.
While the New York Knicks remain locked into the grind of the 2025-26 regular season, the organization’s scouting department is already hard at work evaluating the next wave of talent. With the 2026 NBA Draft on the horizon, early projections are beginning to take shape, and a recent mock draft has linked the franchise to a rising collegiate prospect with a familiar player comparison.
According to the latest analysis from Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Wasserman, the Knicks are predicted to select NC State Wolfpack guard Matt Able with the No. 18 overall pick. Able, a 6-foot-6 shooting guard, has seen his stock rise significantly during the college season, drawing attention for his perimeter scoring and offensive polish. What makes the connection particularly intriguing for New York faithful is the pro comparison attached to his scouting report: veteran sharpshooter Landry Shamet.
The comparison suggests a specific role for Able at the next level—a movement shooter who understands how to operate without the ball. Wasserman notes that while Able’s primary draw is his jump shot, he operates with a "notable sense of poise and intelligence." Much like Shamet, who has carved out a lengthy NBA career by constantly moving around screens and relocating for open looks, Able is praised for taking smart escape dribbles and making high-IQ passing reads.
For the Knicks, adding a player in the mold of Shamet makes tactical sense. In a league increasingly dominated by spacing, having a reliable wing who can stretch the floor without demanding high usage is a luxury. While some critics might view the Shamet comparison as a modest ceiling, it highlights a floor of immediate rotation viability. Shamet has remained a fixture on NBA rosters for years precisely because of the skills Able currently displays at the collegiate level.
As the college basketball season progresses, Knicks fans may want to keep a close eye on NC State games. If Able continues to display the touch and basketball IQ that scouts are raving about, he could very well be the next perimeter weapon to call Madison Square Garden home.
