Phoenix Suns: 5 options for pick No. 4 in 2017 NBA Draft

5. Malik Monk, SG, Kentucky

This is a bit of a long shot, since Malik Monk projects to be a 2-guard and Devin Booker already has that spot locked up. However, considering his high ceiling as an explosive scorer, his more realistic fate as a sixth man dynamo off the bench, and his potential as a combo guard, we shouldn’t rule anything out just yet. Plus, you know, McDonough loves his Kentucky guards.

The biggest knock on Monk’s game in college — especially with his three-point touch — was his consistency, which wavered throughout the Wildcats’ season. At 6’3″ he’s a potential tweener, since his true position is shooting guard, but his size is best suited for the 1-spot.

Monk is a solid ball handler, but not good enough yet to be a lead facilitator in the NBA or make Bledsoe expendable via trade. He’s also not much of a facilitator, and despite showing flashes of good court vision and passing ability, averaged only 2.3 assists in 32.1 minutes per game last season.

However, for all the talk about his consistency, Monk still averaged 19.8 points per game on excellent .450/.397/.822 shooting splits for the season. He won’t turn 20 until next February, there is elite scoring potential to consider and his athleticism is off the charts.

That being said, Monk feels like a reach for the Suns, especially when the Philadelphia 76ers need his premium shooting more and could easily take him off the board at No. 3.

There are better options to be found here, especially if he never develops passing ability required to grow into a point guard role. There’s also a worst-case scenario to consider, where the Suns waste a top-five pick on a player who can’t play more than one position defensively and essentially becomes the next Jamal Crawford or Lou Williams.