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New York Knicks: 2017 NBA Draft Point Guards To Keep An Eye On

By Maxwell Ogden

Dec 7, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari talks with guard De'Aaron Fox (0) and guard Malik Monk (5) during the game against the Valparaiso Crusaders in the second half at Rupp Arena. Kentucky defeated Valparaiso 87-63. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 7, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats head coach John Calipari talks with guard De'Aaron Fox (0) and guard Malik Monk (5) during the game against the Valparaiso Crusaders in the second half at Rupp Arena. Kentucky defeated Valparaiso 87-63. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 17, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Malik Monk (5) dribbles against the defense of North Carolina Tar Heels guard Kenny Williams (24) during a game at T-Mobile Arena. Kentucky won the game 103-100. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 17, 2016; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Malik Monk (5) dribbles against the defense of North Carolina Tar Heels guard Kenny Williams (24) during a game at T-Mobile Arena. Kentucky won the game 103-100. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /

Malik Monk, Kentucky Wildcats

Projected: Top 10
Age: 19 (2/4/1998)
Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’3″, 197 pounds, 6’3.5″
2016-17 Slash Line: .472/.409/.828
2016-17 Season Averages: 32.1 MPG, 21.1 PPG, 2.5 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.2 SPG, 3.0 3PM

There’s a working theory that Malik Monk is a shooting guard in a point guard’s body. He’s entering the NBA at the perfect time, however, as countless point guards have made their name as score-first players in the modern era.

Monk is as explosive a scoring threat as any player in the country, which makes him a prime option for the New York Knicks.

Monk may be the most athletic guard in the country. He’s a blur in transition, has intriguing lateral quickness, and possesses a 42.0″ max vertical leap that could make Derrick Rose stop in his tracks and show his appreciation.

In addition to being an elite athlete, Monk is one of the best shooters in the country—a combination of traits that few NBA players possess.

Monk hasn’t yet established himself as a facilitator, but All-Stars such as Kyrie Irving, Damian Lillard, and Isaiah Thomas have fared well with a score-first mentality. It should also be noted that Monk is playing on a team with two other star-caliber point guards in Isaiah Briscoe and De’Aaron Fox.

Monk has the natural upside of an NBA superstar. If you don’t believe that, just watch him score 47 points against North Carolina and 37 against Georgia.

If he’s not a point guard, then Monk could essentially be a more athletic Eric Gordon.

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