2017 NBA Draft: 3 dark horse options for Los Angeles Lakers in top 3
Malik Monk, SG, Kentucky
Right now, the Lakers have plenty of scoring potential on their roster. Russell can certainly do some damage when he gets hot, Brandon Ingram possesses serious upside as a shooter, and we’ve seen what Randle can do when he’s on his game.
More from Los Angeles Lakers
- NBA Trades: The Lakers bolster their frontcourt in this deal with the Pacers
- A surprise LeBron ranking should raise alarm bells for the Lakers
- Surprising Austin Reaves contract detail confirms Lakers got him for a steal
- Instant Grades for the Lakers’ unprecedented Anthony Davis extension
- Report: Lakers have big plans for recent top-10 pick amid roster shakeup
However, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Lakers were at least interested in adding a true sharpshooter at the shooting guard position. It’s not like they have Lou Williams anymore, and while Clarkson is a great scorer, he’s not exactly a dead-eye from the field. And who knows what the future holds for Nick Young?
So why not consider a guy like Malik Monk in the first round? The former Kentucky star has a deadly jumper, proving to be one of college basketball’s top scorers from the 2-spot last season. He excels as a catch-and-shoot scorer, but is also more than capable of creating his own opportunities.
Scouts knock him for his 6’3″ frame, which is a tad small for the shooting guard spot. However, his athleticism and ridiculous hops more than make up for it. He’s a thunderous dunker who can soar over big defenders to assert his dominance. That same athleticism also helps him make plays on defense and get himself open while playing without the ball.
I’m sure Russell would love to have that type of knockdown shooter to pass to. Drafting Monk would give the Lakers a new offensive weapon to work with who still has a ton of room to grow as a defender and pick-and-roll threat.