BECAUSE the inbounds pass cannot be a shot, then can there be goaltending (offensive or defensive)? Since the ball being thrown in from out of bounds cannot be counted as a shot, then can there be such thing as goaltending? Because if it were to go in, it wouldn't count anyway.

I think the Clippers players were arguing for goaltending. So let's assume the pass was going to go in the basket (altho from the replay it didn't look like that was the case). Therefore, since the ball, if it were to have gone in, wouldn't have counted, then is Ayton allowed to essential go up and touch ball on the pass when otherwise on a non-inbounds play he couldn't as it would be goaltending?