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2017 NBA Draft: 5 best fits for Malik Monk

By Chris Reichert

Mar 11, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Malik Monk (5) celebrates late in the second half against the against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the SEC Conference Tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Kentucky won 79-74. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Malik Monk (5) celebrates late in the second half against the against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the SEC Conference Tournament at Bridgestone Arena. Kentucky won 79-74. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 5, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) laughs with guard Nicolas Batum (5) during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Charlotte Hornets guard Kemba Walker (15) laughs with guard Nicolas Batum (5) during the second half against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Charlotte Hornets

The Hornets are clearly the dark horse in the Malik Monk sweepstakes as they don’t pick until No. 11, but he would definitely be an amazing fit. Each and every year we see players slip in the draft, so if Monk somehow fell to Charlotte at No. 11, they would almost assuredly draft him.

Charlotte’s top 3-point shooters are Kemba Walker and Nicolas Batum. Walker finished in the top-10 for 3s made this season and is a dynamic shooter, with or without the ball in his hands. Batum is one of the more versatile wings in the entire league, so the Hornets can play him at the 2 or the 3 depending on other personnel on the floor. Marco Belinelli and Jeremy Lamb were the backup shooting guards this season and neither had a compelling year. Marco finished the season shooting 36 percent from distance and Lamb shot just 28.1 percent from the land of plenty. The 31-year old Belinelli is an NBA journeyman and Lamb — while still just 25 — looks to be a marginal role player at best.

Malik Monk would be a viable bench scoring option from day one with this club and might even compete for the sixth man role due to his elite shooting. Pair his shooting with the playmaking prowess of Walker and Batum, and its a match made in heaven. Monk isn’t merely a stop-up shooter as he hit 43 percent of his jump shots off the dribble in the half court last year, per Synergy Sports. Monk has translatable skills on the perimeter and playing with established wings like Walker and Batum would allow him to develop the rest of his game at a steady pace, instead of a sink or swim scenario. If MJ can work his magic and move up or if Monk somehow slips outside the top-10, it could be dynamite for Charlotte.

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