2018 NBA Mock Draft: The lottery is done and the order is set

PITTSBURGH, PA - MARCH 17: Marvin Bagley III #35 of the Duke Blue Devils celebrates a three point basket against the Rhode Island Rams during the second half in the second round of the 2018 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament at PPG PAINTS Arena on March 17, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

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WICHITA, KS – MARCH 04: Wichita State Shockers guard Landry Shamet (11) puts a move on Cincinnati Bearcats guard Cane Broome (15) in the second half of an American Athletic Conference matchup between the 10th ranked Cincinnati Bearcats and 11th ranked Wichita State Shockers on March 4, 2018 at Charles Koch Arena in Wichita, KS. Cincinnati won 62-61. (Photo by Scott Winters/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The myth of Shamet’s supposed 7-0 wingspan will be definitively answered this weekend in Chicago, and his stock could rise if it turns out true. A low usage playmaker who knocks down shots and defends at a high level is a valuable player in a league full of wing stars, and Shamet would be no exception.

Terry Stotts appears set to keep his job this summer, but Portland will have to come back in a different form to compete with the best teams in the league. Shamet could defend bigger players next to both CJ McCollum and Damian Lillard or take over some of the playmaking responsibility when one of those two sits. Stotts is smart and adaptable, and maybe fearing for his job at this point. Shamet is a player who fits the team and has potentially the highest floor of any prospect outside the lottery.

One can imagine Shamet excelling outside the measurement room as well, taking a fellow prospect isolated on defense and hounding him into submission. With endless arms and the intelligence to use that length well, Shamet might allow only a couple baskets collectively all weekend.

Portland should be looking closely for players exactly like Shamet, and pounce if they have the chance to take him.

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