New York Knicks: 5 Reasons To Select Malik Monk In 2017 NBA Draft

Nov 23, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Malik Monk (5) goes up for a dunk against the Cleveland State Vikings in the second half at Rupp Arena. Kentucky defeated Cleveland State 101-70. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 23, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Malik Monk (5) goes up for a dunk against the Cleveland State Vikings in the second half at Rupp Arena. Kentucky defeated Cleveland State 101-70. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 23, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Malik Monk (5) goes up for a dunk against the Cleveland State Vikings in the second half at Rupp Arena. Kentucky defeated Cleveland State 101-70. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 23, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Malik Monk (5) goes up for a dunk against the Cleveland State Vikings in the second half at Rupp Arena. Kentucky defeated Cleveland State 101-70. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /

If Malik Monk is still on the board at No. 8 overall in the 2017 NBA Draft, the New York Knicks would be wise to take a chance on him. Here are five reasons why.


Few prospects in the 2017 NBA Draft are more polarizing and divisive than Kentucky Wildcats star Malik Monk. Despite intriguing a number of organizations, including the New York Knicks, no one seems to know where Monk is going to land or how his game will translate.

True as that may be, it would behoove the Knicks to give serious consideration to drafting Monk if he’s available at No. 8 overall in the 2017 NBA Draft.

Monk had a stellar freshman season at Kentucky. He led the 32-6 Wildcats in scoring, helped his team reach the Elite Eight, was a consensus All-American, and was voted by the Associated Press as the 2017 SEC Player of the Year.

Yet, as the 2017 NBA Draft nears, there’s a growing belief that Monk could slide down the board due to his undersized stature.

For the Knicks, Monk falling to No. 8 would be one of the best possible outcomes at the annual selection process. It’s no guarantee that New York would bite, but team president Phil Jackson recently scouted Monk in person.

The question is: why should the New York Knicks give serious consideration to selecting Malik Monk at No. 8 overall in the 2017 NBA Draft?