2018 NBA Mock Draft: Knicks go big with Mo Bamba

At a certain point, as I’ve been harping all season, Boston will need to target players who can create offense above and beyond what their system produces. Shamet could do that without sacrificing the shooting and defense the Celtics have prized under Brad Stevens.

I mention each week how remarkable Shamet’s season was from an efficiency standpoint, and I think it would make him a solid choice to play opposite Kyrie Irving. Not only was Shamet able to guide the Shockers’ offense without making mistakes or missing open shots, he played great defense against individual scorers like Shake Milton that singlehandedly kept Wichita State competitive. Irving is going to provide the majority of shot creation for any team he’s on, while Shamet as a secondary option who could defend the better opposing scorer is perfect.

Plus, the Celtics need to start thinking about how they juggle Marcus Smart and Terry Rozier’s salaries in a backcourt that already features Irving, Jaylen Brown and Gordon Hayward. Young guys will play an even bigger role in the frontcourt over the next few years than they have in this year’s playoffs with Irving and Hayward out.

It’s tough to imagine Shamet falls this far, but he jumps out as a guy the Celtics would target.