2017 NBA Draft: 5 best fits for Malik Monk

Malik Monk has a wide range of NBA Draft projections and could be selected anywhere from No. 3 to the Sixers, to No. 11 with the Hornets. Which team is the best fit?

First and foremost Monk is an explosive scorer, capable of taking games over in an instant. His full array of shot-making skills were on full display in Kentucky’s early season non-conference game against the eventual champion Carolina Tar Heels. Monk went head-to-head with UNC’s Justin Jackson and provided the best individual performance for the entire NCAA season scoring 47 points. That point total also places him atop the Kentucky record books for most points scored in a single game by a freshman.

Not only can Monk shoot the ball with efficiency, but his athleticism allows him to be effective slashing to the rim, cutting off the ball and he’s very dangerous in transition as well. He finished the season averaging 19.8 points while knocking down 39.7 percent of his 3-point attempts (6.9 per game). Monk is what I picture J.R. Smith would have looked like had he gone to college — a super explosive wing with the ability to light up the scoreboard, seemingly at will, and bring any opposing team to its knees.

While Monk’s strongest suit is his shooting prowess, he still has improvements to make before translating his skills to the NBA. While he earned a decent amount of free throw attempts (4.7) per game, he could have put much more pressure on defenses by not settling for jump shots so often. Also, his 6-foot-3 frame and short 6-foot-4 wingspan both hinder him at the next level, but his quickness and jumping ability can outweigh those cons if he becomes more focused. He has the tools to be a quality defender as well, but lapses in concentration hurt him last season as a freshman.

Numerous teams will covet a shooter the caliber of Malik Monk come draft night, but which teams would be the best fit?

5. Minnesota Timberwolves

The Timberwolves currently hold the No. 7 pick in this month’s NBA Draft and there are a few mock drafts with them selecting Monk. This youthful group was a popular pick for a breakout season in 2016-17 as they each had another year of experience and the team added successful coach Tom Thibodeau. Things did not work out as planned and the team really struggled to find their footing behind Karl Anthony-Towns, Andrew Wiggins and Ricky Rubio. Tragedy struck as well with Zach LaVine tearing his ACL mid-season.

Minnesota definitely needs outside shooting as they only hit 34.9 percent of their 3s as a team landing them 20th overall in the NBA. Each and every franchise needs weapons from behind the arc and while LaVine was having a quality season from deep shooting 38.7 percent on 2.6 makes per game, he’s the only real threat from 3. LaVine certainly would have been top-50 in terms of made 3s had he not been injured, but since he did go down, the team didn’t have a single player in the top-50.

Monk would bring an instant threat from the perimeter and could help create more space for both Towns and Wiggins to operate. Wiggins has improved his outside shot each of his three seasons and this year posted career highs with 103 makes on 35.8 percent, but is hardly a knock down shooter. Monk is the most deadly shooter in this draft, but the trouble for Minnesota would be finding minutes for another budding star and I’m just not sure LaVine is ready to give up substantial minutes for Monk to shine as a rookie.