NBA Draft 2017 Prospect Watch: Malik Monk

Nov 25, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Malik Monk (5) shoots the ball against the Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks in the second half at Rupp Arena. Kentucky defeated Tennessee-Martin 111-76. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 25, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Malik Monk (5) shoots the ball against the Tennessee-Martin Skyhawks in the second half at Rupp Arena. Kentucky defeated Tennessee-Martin 111-76. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
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Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports

Weaknesses

Malik Monk will make his money as a scoring guard in the NBA.­ The problem with being a scoring guard in the NBA, however, is fitting next to the other guard on the floor.

At Duke, Monk played primarily off the ball at shooting guard. The problem, of course, is Monk is listed at 6’4” – definitely undersized for a traditional shooting guard. He will have difficulty defending other larger guards.

And while Monk can generate amazing results for himself on offense, he isn’t a traditional playmaker. He isn’t great at setting up offense for teammates, and doesn’t show great vision or decision-making beyond creating his own shot.

Monk is pretty fantastic at creating his own shot, however. It can be a headache drafting a position-less guard, but sometimes it works out well; Lou Williams is having a pretty good year.