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Charlotte Hornets: 3 big questions heading into 2018-19 NBA season

By Daniel Lubofsky

CHARLOTTE, NC- NOVEMBER 13: Nicolas Batum #5, Malik Monk #1, Kemba Walker #15 and Frank Kaminsky #44 of the Charlotte Hornets help announce jersey patch partnership with Lending Tree during the press conference at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina on November 13, 2017. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC- NOVEMBER 13: Nicolas Batum #5, Malik Monk #1, Kemba Walker #15 and Frank Kaminsky #44 of the Charlotte Hornets help announce jersey patch partnership with Lending Tree during the press conference at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina on November 13, 2017. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
(Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

2. Can Malik Monk improve on a disappointing rookie season?

Selected with the 11th pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, Malik Monk fell into the Hornets’ lap as a high volume scorer and shooter from the shooting guard position.

Given where most thought he would land in the draft, Charlotte was ecstatic to take him in, hoping he could potentially form a dynamic backcourt alongside Kemba Walker. In his inaugural season in the pros, Monk didn’t really do much to prove such a scenario was likely, averaging just 6.7 points in 13.6 minutes per game.

In his defense, injuries played a role, limiting him to just 63 games, and with Nicolas Batum and Jeremy Lamb already owning the bulk of minutes at the 2, there wasn’t much playing time for Monk to earn.

Now headed into his sophomore season, the minutes still won’t necessarily be there for the former Kentucky product, but that doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be showing improvements as a player. Plenty of guys come into the league with the potential for greatness, and yet as the years pass them by, such a level is never achieved due to the lack of time they put in the gym.

Sure, right now Monk still has time to prove his worth, but the clock ticks for every youngster. This isn’t to say he has to make a massive leap, but simply reassuring the Hornets front office of their draft-day faith could pay off moving forward.

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