Despite the 2017 NBA Draft Lottery yielding the third overall pick, the Philadelphia 76ers may still be considering Malik Monk come June.
After the Philadelphia 76ers moved up to the third spot during the 2017 NBA Draft Lottery, many fans shifted their focus towards Josh Jackson — the Kansas stud who, in most circles, has been a consensus top three talent throughout the campaign. Even without a reliable jumper, Jackson’s defensive hustle and well-rounded arsenal yields one of the highest two-way ceilings in recent memory, something the Sixers — regardless of pure offensive fit — would be foolish not to consider.
A Royal Pain
Some outlets, however, aren’t pegging Jackson as the surefire pick for Bryan Colangelo and company. Sam Vecenie of Sporting News spoke with 247 Sports, where he said that Kentucky freshman Malik Monk remains “in play” for the Sixers at three.
"“He fits well with what they have and what they do. They can put the ball in his hands or run him off of screens and can kind of just let him loose, especially if they’re married to the idea of Ben Simmons playing point guard at some point.” (via CatPause.com)"
In a sense, such a move would be understandable. While Monk clearly isn’t a top three talent in this year’s class, his skill set is tailor made for what Brett Brown and company want alongside Ben Simmons in the rotation. He’s the draft’s best shooter, combining explosive athleticism and shot-making ability that could make him the perimeter counter-punch that Process era offenses have always lacked.
Rolling the proverbial dice on Monk at three does, however, run the risk of capping Philadelphia’s upside. If they don’t go Best Player Available with somebody of Josh Jackson or Dennis Smith’s ilk, there’s a chance that they could be passing on a generational talent — something that’s often a product of teams who vie for fit and competitiveness, rather than outright skill.
Even with the the Sixers’ rotational nucleus set for the foreseeable future, fit remains a temporary concern. While Simmons and Embiid will always benefit from additional shooting, free agency and future draftees could sway their needs in a different direction, which further establishes an argument against selecting Monk.
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There’s a chance that he becomes an instant 20-point scorer at the next level, while his point guard chops were displayed in flashes, but could develop into a more sizable facet of his game under the right conditions. He’s the secondary initiator and the high-octane scorer that Philadelphia’s rotation needs — which is alone enough for Bryan Colangelo and company to give serious thought towards selecting him.
It’s a matter of unpredictability, though, and that’s what normally pushes me — and should push the Sixers — towards the B.P.A. route. If Monk’s shooting wavers, his upside diminishes tenfold. If Jackson — who has an argument for the highest ceiling in this year’s class — becomes a top flight player, then his services, even if they conflict with Simmons’ skill set, could prove to be more valuable than Monk’s.
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With that said, the reasoning behind either argument is a moot point. The Sixers’ front office seems geared towards improving the team in the immediate future, something a player with a ready-made niche (like Monk) could help them attain. Vecenie isn’t the only one pointing to Monk as the Sixers’ answer on draft night either. Chad Ford’s most recent mock draft also pegged the Kentucky sharpshooter to Philadelphia at three.
This is one of the more pivotal judgement calls the Sixers’ new front office has had to make — and it’s one that could determine the direction of the team moving forward.