2017 NBA Mock Draft, Week 12: The Lakers keep their pick
By Chris Stone
Learn more about Malik Monk at The Step Back."
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Malik Monk
SG, Kentucky
Shot making is a valuable commodity in the NBA and Kentucky’s Malik Monk is one of the best shooters in the 2017 draft class. Similar to past prospects like Buddy Hield and Jamal Murray, Monk is an efficient high usage scorer. This season, he is averaging 29.0 points per 40 minutes with a true shooting percentage of 63.5 and a usage rate of 27.7 percent. He has made 41.4 percent of his 140 3-point attempts, showing an ability to knock them down off the catch and off the dribble.
What makes Monk a more hopeful prospect than Hield or Murray despite being 6-foot-3 is his athleticism. As he often shows slamming home dunks in transition, the 18-year old can get off the floor quickly. That athleticism should help him translate defensively even if he has below average size for his position.
The thing that should concern teams is Monk’s seeming unwillingness to get to the basket in halfcourt. Despite have enough of a handle to actually get into the lane, Monk often settles for shots in the mid-range rather than forcing the issue. This season, just 7.9 percent of his total field goal attempts in the halfcourt have come at the rim.