5. Malik Monk, SG, Kentucky
College stats: 38 GP, 19.8 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 2.3 APG, .9 SPG, .5 BPG, 2 TOV, 45 FG%, 39.7 3P%, 82.2 FT%
For the potential he possesses, there’s no doubt Malik Monk will be on the Kings’ radar on draft night in some capacity.
In his lone season at the University of Kentucky, Monk displayed an incredible scoring prowess, scoring in bunches from all levels of the floor for the majority of the season. Combining that scoring ability with his splendid athleticism and quickness, Monk has the makings of a one-of-a-kind scorer if he ends up realizing his full potential.
With questions over how he’ll impact the game in other ways though, Monk has a long way to go in a number of different areas and as a result, his draft stock may not fall in line with the type of player the Kings can potentially nab with the fifth overall pick.
Above all else, however, is that Monk plays at a position the Kings have locked down for the foreseeable future.
They have a serviceable veteran in Garrett Temple under contract for the next two seasons and based on how they value Buddy Hield and, to a lesser extent, Malachi Richardson, adding Monk would feel out of character for a team that is trying to forge a new path. On top of that, reports have long indicated that the Kings are keen on bringing over Serbian international Bogdan Bogdanovic for the coming season.
All in all, shooting guard is far from a position of need for the Kings in the draft and therefore, it makes the possibility of him landing in Sacramento highly unlikely. Though, stranger things have happened when it comes to the Kings…