2018 NBA Mock Draft: What do playoff teams need?

With news Thursday that there is reportedly an established connection between the Lakers and Kawhi Leonard, the set-up necessary for a superstar re-haul in Los Angeles inches toward completion. After clearing money at this year’s trade deadline and revamping the front office, it’s looking more like the Lakers will be building around stars this time summer rather than adding talent to their young nucleus.

“[Leonard] wants to go to LA. There probably won’t be public demands on that, but he has leverage,” an executive told The Sporting News’ Sean Deveney this week. With rumors already abound of Paul George and LeBron James being interested in the Lakers’ star vacancy as well, we could easily see a very different team in place next season.

That shouldn’t necessarily change the team’s mindset in this year’s draft, but it certainly could mean we see a different tactic this year than in years past for Los Angeles, which has become excellent at swiping talented players out of other teams’ grasp. Shamet fits the bill of a star role player if he fulfills his two-way potential.

With a reported 7-0 wingspan and the ultimate high-efficiency, low-usage offensive style, Shamet’s ceiling is higher than most guards in this range. He could easily slide in next to superior players and make his impact felt.