LA Clippers: Players for Landry Shamet to study in isolation

Luka Doncic

Part of Landry Shamet’s appeal when entering the NBA was that even though he projected as a shooting guard professionally, he spent time playing point guard in college at Wichita State. His versatility in guard skills and six-foot-four inch frame could potentially make him a valuable asset for any roster.

So far, he’s spent most of his time in the NBA on the wing, playing more minutes at the small forward position (39 percent) than at point guard (eight percent). He’s mostly utilized as a shooter, moving without the ball, getting open, and taking catch-and-shoot three pointers.

For Shamet to reach his full potential, he might want to make an effort to shift to playing more minutes at the point guard position. Here, his height would become more of an asset than when he’s playing small forward, where he has a clear size disadvantage.

One player currently thriving in the NBA at the point guard position, despite having unorthodox size and athleticism for the position is Luka Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks. The second-year All-Star seems to have a natural feel for the game that could prove difficult to study, but Shamet could watch the way that Doncic plays the pick-and-roll game, finds passing angles, and is able to beat defenders with crafty moves and spacing to pick up some skills for being the lead guard.

Shamet could boost his playing time and usage if he’s able to take on more minutes at point guard. This is something the Clippers may need him to do should next season should they lose Reggie Jackson in free agency. Being able to play the pick-and-roll with Montrezl Harrell the way Luka Doncic does with Kristaps Porzingis would give the Clippers  a formidable offensive threat coming off their bench to go along with reigning Sixth Man of the Year Lou Williams.