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Miami Heat: 5 realistic free-agent targets this offseason

By Simon Smith

MIAMI, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 27: President Pat Riley of the Miami Heat addresses the media during the introductory press conference for Jimmy Butler at American Airlines Arena on September 27, 2019 in Miami, Florida. 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. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 27: President Pat Riley of the Miami Heat addresses the media during the introductory press conference for Jimmy Butler at American Airlines Arena on September 27, 2019 in Miami, Florida. 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. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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Miami Heat (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Miami Heat (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Miami Heat free-agent target 4. Malik Monk, Charlotte Hornets

Age: 23

2020-21 salary: $5.3 million

The Heat were given a first-hand look at the Malik Monk experience this past season. A highly explosive shooting guard, Monk averaged 26.3 points on 61.4 percent shooting over his three games against the Heat, which featured a career-high 36 points including nine 3-pointers, and another performance of 32 points on 12-of-17 shooting.

Overall, the former No. 11 overall pick averaged 11.7 points in 20.9 minutes per game last season, his fourth in the league. Given he’s started just once out of 233 career games, it’s understandable that Monk has averaged just 17.8 minutes per game for his career. But this past season demonstrated his ability to produce when given increased opportunity.

Over 15 games in which he played at least 25 minutes, Monk averaged 19.3 points per game, which featured shooting 46.4 percent from three on 7.5 attempts per game. While not a frequent visitor to the free throw line, Monk nonetheless possesses plenty of prowess off the dribble, both from the mid and long range. Furthermore, he is highly adept at playing off the ball, with 61.3 percent of his field goals last season coming via an assist, per NBA Stats.

A former teammate of Bam Adebayo at Kentucky, ascertaining Monk’s value on the open market this summer presents one of the more intriguing challenges for teams around the league. A restricted free agent, a recent comparison in terms of a contract offer could be Malik Beasley of the Minnesota Timberwolves. The No. 19 overall pick in 2016, Beasley signed a four-year, $60 million deal last summer, which includes a team option for the final year of the deal.

So while he’s unlikely to be at the absolute top of many teams wish lists this summer, the tantilizing talent he possesses means Malik Monk presents as one of the more intriguing options of the offseason.

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