The New York Knicks could find a future All-Star in the 2017 NBA Draft. That player is hybrid guard Malik Monk of the Kentucky Wildcats.
When looking into the upcoming NBA Draft, one might see the franchise-altering capabilities of Markelle Fultz, Lonzo Ball, and Josh Jackson. You will also see the blistering athleticism of De’Aaron Fox, the sure-thing Jayson Tatum, and the NBA body of Jonathan Isaac.
But one player from college basketball’s most notorious powerhouses isn’t getting the attention, nor the anticipation, that he deserves.
That player is shooting guard Malik Monk.
Monk built a reputation at Kentucky by scoring points in a mind-numbingly quick fashion. Using athleticism and one of the best jumpers in college basketball, Monk averaged 19.8 points per game.
He’s a dynamic scorer, a more than capable passer, and an explosive athlete. His first step is one of the best in this year’s draft, which will help Monk create space in the NBA.
Between Monk and Fox, Kentucky had two future NBA impact players alternating control of the offense. They terrorized college basketball all the way into the Elite Eight.
Winning the SEC Player of the Year award, voters agreed that Monk had an excellent season. He was white hot from beyond the arc in 2017, shooting an impressive 39.7 percent. He scored 30-plus points four times, and even managed a 47-point game against the North Carolina Tar Heels.
Monk also managed to keep his field goal percentage at 45.0, which should be considered high for a player operating mostly on the perimeter.
But that’s just Monk’s problem. Throughout the year, Monk forgot about driving to the rim, an area where his explosive athletic ability thrives. Oftentimes, he settled for floaters rather than assaulting the rim.
This shot is a great one to have, but finishing around the rim is a must. Monk hung around the perimeter and settled for jumper after jumper.
While this formula will work in today’s NBA, it would stunt his growth into the player he should be. Monk could play at an All-Star level by getting to the rack and his jumper to keep the defenders honest.
Monk has the perfect jumper. With defenders so worried about his NBA-ready shot, Monk would blow by with a simple pump fake.
The New York Knicks sit at the No. 8 spot in this years NBA draft. Snagging Monk would be tough. The Knicks are in dire need of a scoring point guard to play alongside Kristaps Porzingis, and Monk might just be the answer.
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His dynamite scoring ability and Porzingis’ uncanny offensive prowess would form one of the most deadly pick and roll pairings in the NBA. The New York Knicks should invest in that.