Malik Monk was an absolute steal for the Charlotte Hornets at No. 11
The Charlotte Hornets may very well have gotten the steal of the 2017 NBA Draft when Malik Monk fell to them at No. 11.
The 2017 NBA Draft class is loaded with talent and star potential. Even though Markelle Fultz and Lonzo Ball are the two highest rated players, Malik Monk could end up being the steal of the draft. The Charlotte Hornets must have felt like they hit the lottery when the 6’4 guard was somehow available when they were on the clock.
This doesn’t mean that Monk will be better than Fultz or Ball but that he is too good to have dropped all the way outside of the top-10. Now Charlotte will have a shot to reap the rewards and Malik will have the chance to make teams that didn’t take him, regret their decision.
The Ringer even said on draft night that Monk “could end up the steal of the draft.” Chris Palmer also tweeted that Arkansas native “is the steal of the draft” while Jamal Murphy reiterated that sentiment.
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Chip on his shoulder
Malik was already excited to be in the NBA but after being passed on by the New York Knicks and falling outside of the top-10, he is even more motivated. When asked if that would give him a chip on his shoulder? He said, “for sure.” (NBA.com) Monk is inspired and he is ready to prove all the teams that passed on him wrong.
Leading up to the draft, most mocks had him locked in as a top-10 pick but as draft night drew closer, there was chatter that he may slip a bit. Luckily for Charlotte, he fell to them at No. 11. Now he is out to prove the doubters and show that he was worthy of being a top pick.
Scoring ability
De’Aaron Fox went six spots higher than Malik in the 2017 NBA Draft but the Hornets’ newest player actually averaged more than Fox during their lone season under John Calipari. Malik put up 19.8 points per game while shooting 39.7% from the field compared to De’Aaron averaged 16.7 PPG while shooting 24.6% from three.
That’s not taking anything away from Fox who is a great prospect but it shows just how lethal Monk is on the offensive end.
Monk became the only freshman to drop 40+ points in a game this past year when he scored 47 against North Carolina. Looking at all the big name players/scorers to come through Kentucky in recent years (Anthony Davis, John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, Devin Booker, Karl-Anthony Towns to name a few), that is a major feat.
Malik can score from anywhere on the court. He has the ability to knock down three’s and drive to the hoop with his athletic ability (more on that later) but he has claimed that his best asset is his mid-range game. He’s going to be dangerous off the bench in a scoring sixth man role.
Athleticism
There is a case to be made that Monk is the most athletic player in the 2017 class. At the Draft Combine, he was tied for first with a 36.6″ standing vertical, tied for second with a 42″ max vertical jump, tied for second with a 2.79 shuttle time, first with a 10.34 lane time and fourth with a 3.12 three-quarter court sprint. His athletic ability and agility/speed will surely be on display every night.
With today’s NBA revolving around outside shooting and athleticism, Malik should have no trouble adjusting to the next level.
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When all is said and done 10 to 15 years from now, there’s a good chance that Monk could be the player that 10 teams ahead of Charlotte wish they would’ve taken. I think that Malik could end up being one of the top five players from this draft class.