Phoenix Suns work out 2017 NBA Draft prospect Malik Monk

Here’s a look at the Phoenix Suns’ pre-draft workout with 2017 NBA Draft prospect and Kentucky Wildcats shooting guard, Malik Monk.

The Phoenix Suns may already have a hot-shooting Kentucky guard at the 2-spot, but that won’t stop them from being as thorough as possible in their workout process leading up to the 2017 NBA Draft.

Despite Devin Booker looking like a franchise cornerstone, the Suns brought in Wildcats prospect Malik Monk for an individual pre-draft workout on Tuesday, doing their due diligence in preparation for June 22, when they will select fourth overall.

A 6’3″ shooting guard coming out of general manager Ryan McDonough’s favorite place to draft a guard, Monk is an explosive athlete and one of the best long range shooters in this year’s draft class.

Suns assistant GM Pat Connelly said Monk’s shot should translate well to the NBA’s three-point range.

"“He shot the ball incredibly well from NBA range, probably one of our better performances we’ve had in the last few years here shooting from the deep ball,” Connelly said. “It’s something he showed when he was at Kentucky, but obviously when you push it back a little bit and get on the line, some guys are great shooters and it takes a little bit of time. He naturally will kind of adjust to that with no issue.”"

Shooting and explosive athleticism are his calling cards entering this year’s draft, and Monk is not shy about the confidence he has in his abilities, joking(?) that his range extends beyond Stephen Curry‘s:

So how would he fit in with Devin Booker if the Suns were to select him fourth overall?

Neither the Suns front office nor Monk seems to think positional overlap would be problematic enough to pass on him if they deem him to be their guy at No. 4.

"“I think any time you can add shooting, with shooting you can make it work,” Connelly said. “We don’t look at it as overcrowding when we’re going through this draft process, we look at every player we think can help us, every player we think is talented enough to be in consideration for that fourth pick.”"

Monk said the best players would play at the end of the day, and, never one to shy away from competition, he views that potential hurdle to playing time as a challenge to embrace. He also envisions a scenario where defenses don’t get a break between the high scoring 2-guards.

"“Oh yeah, when he goes out, it’ll be my turn,” he said. “When I go out, it’ll be his turn.”"

At Kentucky, Monk averaged 19.8 points, 2.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game, shooting 45 percent from the floor and an efficient 39.7 percent from three-point range. He was second in the nation in scoring among all freshmen and dazzled scouts with a few memorable performances.

His 47-point detonation against North Carolina in December was the perfect showcase of what his NBA ceiling might look like if he develops into a dynamic scorer at the next level.

Connelly said Monk has the type of confidence to thrive in the league, with his time in the spotlight in Lexington serving as great preparation for the next stage.

"“He likes pressure,” he said. “We had dinner with him last night and you can tell there’s a confidence in his game. Some guys are shooters, some guys don’t have that gunner mentality; he kinda has both, which you like to see out of guys that can put up huge numbers in a pressure-filled environment.”"

The big question with Monk, particularly when it comes to playing alongside fellow Wildcats like Devin Booker, Tyler Ulis and Eric Bledsoe, is how much he’ll be able to do with the ball in his hands.

At Kentucky, De’Aaron Fox ran the point and Monk benefitted from playing off the ball. Going through the draft workout process, the 19-year-old shooting guard says he is as comfortable playing with the ball in his hands as he is playing off the ball.

Connelly said that even though it was an individual workout, the team got a chance to look at some of his ball handling skills.

"“Last year — and obviously he’ll admit it — he played with a great point guard that made it easy for him,” Connelly said. “But if you go back to some of his high school stuff, he played with the ball. I think the threat of the jump shot always makes it easier for you to be creative when you use that and as his handle continues to improve, he’ll be able to mix in a little bit more.“He’s not just a shooter; the fact that he got to the line five times a game without being a primary ball handler, I thought, was a pretty impressive stat.”"

In terms of what he’s trying to show NBA teams in these draft workouts, Monk — who will follow up his first pre-draft workout in Phoenix with a trip to visit the Orlando Magic — mentioned the defensive end.

"“That I can guard any position, 1-3,” he said. “I think I can do that well, I just gotta get in the weight room and get ready for these grown men.”"

Taking Monk at No. 4 would be a bit of a stretch if prospects like Josh Jackson, De’Aaron Fox or even Jonathan Isaac are still available, but it’s not out of the question either.

Next: Phoenix Suns - 5 options at pick No. 4 in 2017 NBA Draft

Though his fit with Devin Booker would likely relegate him to sixth man duty, that might be his NBA destiny anyway. And if it’s not, with Booker’s ability to spend some time at the 3, Monk’s ceiling as an efficient three-point shooter and a dynamic scorer could still have him in the mix at the No. 4 overall pick in this year’s draft.