2017 NBA Mock Draft, Week 26: The Timberwolves’ young core improves
By Chris Stone
Malik Monk
SG, Kentucky
Draft status: In with an agent
The Philadelphia 76ers could go any number of ways with this pick as their needs are still great despite the emergence of Joel Embiid and the expected arrival of Ben Simmons. One option would be to travel down the point guard path and select either De’Aaron Fox or Dennis Smith Jr., but with plans in place to put the ball in Simmons’ hands frequently, that might not be the best route. Another option would be to add Jonathan Isaac, play him at the three and build out a length defensive line. However, Isaac is probably best situated to play as a small ball power forward, a position where Philadelphia is already stacked with depth.
The best remaining option, then, is Kentucky’s Malik Monk. The 6-foot-3 shooting guard would bring the 76ers some much needed range that can space the floor. He made 39.7 percent of his 3-pointers last season and was one of the most prolific shooters in college basketball. Monk forces defenders to stay at home and could mitigate some of the risk of playing a Simmons-Embiid frontcourt that lacks elite shooting. In Philadelphia, Monk might also have the option to play some de facto point guard, defending the position while Simmons does the ball-handling. It’s a set up that would mitigate some of the concerns about his height as a two guard.