2017 NBA Draft: 5 potential steals
By Max Holm
3. Malik Monk (No. 11) – Charlotte Hornets
In most drafts, Malik Monk is a top-10 pick, even top-five in some. The small 2-guard from Kentucky can shoot from anywhere and has both underrated athleticism and playmaking potential. Monk should also be a force in transition.
Someone was always going to fall in this class due to the depth at the top, and Monk was the one who fell. Falling this far is no knock on Monk, who has a much brighter future than just a knockdown shooter. A knockdown shooter, though, is exactly what the Charlotte Hornets need around Kemba Walker and Dwight Howard.
It’s unclear how a Monk-Walker backcourt would hold up defensively, but the offensive upside might be too high. Walker is dynamic getting to the rim, so teams will have to decide if they’d rather let him attack or let Monk launch uncontested threes.
Monk was arguably the best shot-maker in college with a defender close by last season. He could easily clip 40-45 percent from deep if left open too much. With Howard and now Monk, Charlotte could make a big jump next season. A lineup of Walker, Monk, Nicolas Batum, Marvin Williams and Howard will be a matchup nightmare.