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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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Jun 24, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers number one overall draft pick Ben Simmons (R) is greeted by center Joel Embiid (L) during a press conference at the Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 24, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers number one overall draft pick Ben Simmons (R) is greeted by center Joel Embiid (L) during a press conference at the Philadelphia College Of Osteopathic Medicine. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Philadelphia 76ers

The Philadelphia 76ers finally had a rekindling of hope this season with the emergence of Joel Embiid. The franchise, and fans, waited and waited but the payoff worked out better than most could have dreamt with Embiid. Now, they enter another season of hoping the same outcome occurs with Ben Simmons, who missed his entire rookie season due to injury. Philadelphia also has standout rookie Dario Saric and Jahlil Okafor as frontcourt options, so clearly a big man isn’t in the mix at No. 3.

The Sixers definitely need shooting around those monstrous big men taking over the paint and they lack a deadly shooting guard at the moment. Nik Stauskas, Gerald Henderson and Justin Anderson have been “okay” but are basically stop gaps while the team waits to find the heir apparent at the 2. As a team they shot 34 percent (25th in the NBA) from 3-point range and though they had six players average more than one 3-pointer made per game, not one shot over 37 percent from distance. Stauskas had an encouraging third season with career highs in points (9.5), 3s made (132) and 3-point percentage (36.8) but is a backup at his peak.

Malik Monk could slide right into the starting lineup for Philadelphia and make a real impact wit his marksmanship. Embiid, when healthy, can demand double teams creating open looks for Monk, and with Simmons’ elite vision and passing abilities he can create open looks as well. The issue here is Monk might be a reach at No. 3 overall. The more likely scenario if the Sixers want Monk will be more them to trade down and take him somewhere around 5-8, but if they feel he’s their best option then maybe they pull the trigger at No. 3 to ensure they get their guy.

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