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Why the Sixers should draft Malik Monk

By Daniel Stets

Mar 26, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Malik Monk (5) drives against North Carolina Tar Heels guard Stilman White (30) in the first half during the finals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Malik Monk (5) drives against North Carolina Tar Heels guard Stilman White (30) in the first half during the finals of the South Regional of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports /
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Will the Philadelphia 76ers select Malik Monk with the third overall pick? They should.

Bryan Colangelo has a difficult decision to make, and he knows it too. The general manager of the Philadelphia 76ers recently said that they are looking at six or seven players to select in the draft. One of those players is Malik Monk.

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    • Monk took college basketball by storm last year. The Kentucky guard averaged 19.8 points per game, with a 58.6 true shooting percentage. He also shot 39.7 percent from 3, on 6.9 attempts per game. Monk is also an elite shot maker, and this skill would help Phildalphia tremendously on the offensive side of the court.

    The Sixers were a bad 3-point shooting team last year. The team averaged 34.0 percent from 3, which ranks 25th in the NBA. It is imperative that the Sixers surround Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid with elite shot makers. Monk is that player.

    The Sixers already have their two franchise players in Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid. Fit has to matter when discussing who Philadelphia takes. For example, drafting Josh Jackson, while having Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid on the roster would be a problem offensively. There simply wouldn’t be enough spacing on the floor for it to work.

    Another example is Jonathan Isaac, the combo forward from Florida State. Isaac’s best position long term is most likely power forward, and occasionally center, due to his height, wingspan, and potential as a shot blocker. (Isaac’s height was measured at 6-10.5  and he  had a 7-1.25  wingspan in 2016). However, he wouldn’t get a chance to be utilized to his full potential, because Simmons and Embiid would block his chances at playing power forward and center long term.

    Related Story: Malik Monk is a bad idea for the Sixers

    Malik Monk has weaknesses. He is small for a shooting guard, measuring in at only 6-3, with a 6-3.5 wingspan in 2016.  However, the Sixers are in a unique position to let Malik Monk play point guard. Ben Simmons will be the primary creator on offense, so Monk can be allowed to develop as a player who guards the opposing team’s point guard. Even if Monk is a below average defender, the presence of Joel Embiid erasing shots at the rim will limit this weakness.

    Monk also isn’t a great creator for his teammates on offense. He averaged 2.3 assists per game to 2.0 turnovers per game. His assist percentage was only 13.3 percent. Just like with his defense, this weakness will be mitigated by the fact that Ben Simmons is an amazing passer, and the offense will be run through him.

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    Malik Monk’s skills will give him an excellent chance to become one of the premier shooters in the NBA. His shooting will give Ben Simmons the adequate space to drive and either pass, or score around the rim. Malik Monk should be the selection on Thursday night.