Minnesota Timberwolves: Pros/cons of Timberwolves drafting Malik Monk
By Antoine Bass
Pro: There is one thing you can be sure of when thinking of Malik Monk and that is his productivity.
While having a score-first mindset, Monk can be unselfish and make the basic reads. He’s an accurate lob passer and his quickness allows him the ability to break down defenses.
In comparison to the top 100 prospects for Draft Express, Monk was seventh in points scored per game while being second for points scored per game for a freshman.
Monk showed he had the ability to produce on the offensive end on a consistent basis. He even set a Kentucky freshman record by scoring an insane 47 points against North Carolina. He also hit the game-winning 3 that game to give Kentucky the win against North Carolina.
North Carolina would go on later in time to win the NCAA title. In a sense, Malik Monk scored 47 points and hit a gamer winner on a championship caliber team. Monk has shown that when the lights are on he’s willing to step up and that is what a struggling Minnesota team with no identity could use.
Monk is a confident scorer and showed that he can be great even when playing against top competition.
The Timberwolves showed they did not have the ability to close out games. Monk would be valuable for moments like this. Countless times Monk has shown that he can be a clutch performer with his time in Kentucky.
Monk is an elite offensive threat whose production can take some of the scoring load off Karl-Anthony Towns, Zach LaVine and Andrew Wiggins. Three guys who desperately need it, mainly because they each averaged 37 or more minutes per game.
The highest average of minutes played by three people on the same team in the entire NBA.