If the Charlotte Hornets really want to get a star player, they should trade up in the draft this year to select Malik Monk.
The 2017 draft class is one of the deepest in recent history. With a number of talented prospects that have big time upside, this is the perfect year for the Charlotte Hornets to get a star player through the draft. Malik Monk is one of the top prospects but he may not be on the board when the team selects at No. 11.
The Kentucky may fall in the lottery a bit but it is unlikely that he will still be there for the Hornets. That means that they will probably need to trade up in order to land Monk. While Rich Cho hasn’t shown a history of trading up in past drafts, it is in Charlotte’s best interest to at least seriously explore that option.
While the top three picks are pretty much set with Markelle Fultz, Lonzo Ball and Josh Jackson, it is unclear how the draft will go after that. Malik could go anywhere from fourth to 10th. The difference between Monk and the rest of the top prospects is that he would be a perfect fit roster-wise and potential-wise.
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DraftExpress.com currently projects the 19-year old to go sixth overall to the Orlando Magic. NBADraft.net compares him to Eric Gordon and Lou Williams. At 6’3 with only a 6’3.5 wingspan, he could be considered a bit undersized for a two-guard in the NBA but he more than makes up for his lack of length with quickness, agility and athleticism.
During his lone season under John Calipari, he averaged 19.8 points per game, 2.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists while shooting 49.7% from inside the arc and 39.7% from three. He was Kentucky’s first-choice option on offense and he displayed his incredible and versatile offensive game multiple times. He even helped lead the Wildcats to a 32-6 record with an Elite Eight appearance.
The Hornets have needed to draft a shooting guard (emphasis on SHOOTING) for the past five years or so. They’ve passed on elite level shooters like Bradley Beal, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, C.J. McCollum, Zach LaVine and Devin Booker since 2012. Despite the need for a shooter, Michael Jordan and the front office continued to select forwards/big men (Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Cody Zeller, Noah Vonleh and Frank Kaminsky).
Still needing a consistent three-point shooting guard to pair alongside Kemba Walker and Monk being arguably the best shooter in the draft this year, the fit makes perfect sense. Charlotte can’t afford to just sit around and hope that Malik falls to them though. They need to be active and shop for a top-10 pick.
It won’t be easy to trade into the top-10 and it will likely cost the Hornets their first round pick this year, maybe a player like Jeremy Lamb or MKG and a protected first round pick next year. Even then, there is no telling what team in the top-seven or so would go for that deal. Every lottery team that high in the draft could use a top player so they likely won’t be looking to move outside of the top-10.
While an argument could be made for the team to either keep their pick or draft another guard/wing player instead of Monk, the fact is that Malik has star potential. He epitomizes what the new-age NBA star is made of with an elite shooting touch and the ability to create off of the dribble with off the charts athleticism.
Next: Taking a look at potential second round draft prospects
Charlotte’s have wasted too many picks and too many years drafting players who aren’t going to be stars. For once, they need to risk future assets to get a potential star. Malik Monk is just one of many potential stars in the draft this year but he is the perfect one for the Hornets.