2017 NBA Draft: New York Knicks cannot risk missing out on Malik Monk
By Michael Foy
The New York Knicks hold the #8 in the upcoming NBA Draft. If he is on the board, their front office cannot pass on Malik Monk out of Kentucky.
The New York Knicks have more problems than virtually every team in the league. Between flops of players brought on board to constant drama off the court, it seems like they can’t do much of anything right as of late.
That all could start to change with their draft pick on Thursday night. No, one single pick won’t make the Knicks not the Knicks anymore, but it could be the first step in righting the ship in New York.
There is a lot of talent in this class and it’s one of the deepest in recent years. That being said, there is one player the Knicks should try and hone in on at the #8 spot: Malik Monk.
New York ranked 21st in the league in three-point shooting, connecting on only 34.8% from beyond the arc. Courtney Lee led the team in three-point shooting, hitting 40.1% of his shots. Carmelo Anthony led the team in three-point attempts with 5.7 a game, connecting on 35.9% of his attempts. Needless to say, they need a shooter.
Malik Monk is one of the best shooters in this draft, hitting 39.7% of his three-point shots while attempting seven per game this past season. Monk is great at creating his own shot and is sneakily athletic. He doesn’t seem to always use his athleticism to get into the lane for easier looks, but the potential is there. If he were to improve on this, Monk could take his game to another level.
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The biggest reason Malik Monk is perfect for the Knicks is that he loves the big stage. We all know about his coming out party against North Carolina when he went off for 47 points. The thing is he did this time and time again all season long. He thrives in the big moment and what better place to do that on a nightly basis than Madison Square Garden?
The needs are there and Monk is a perfect fit. The Knicks won’t be disappointed if they draft Malik Monk, and they should make him a priority.