Charlotte Hornets: 2017 NBA Draft Grades
We knew somebody had to fall in this star-studded draft. Buzz City ended up being the benefactor of that.
Malik Monk (11th overall), Shooting Guard, Kentucky
Grade: A+
Stats: 19.8 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.3 assists per game, .450/.397/.822 splits
Analysis:
What seemed like a pipe dream two months ago became a reality Thursday as the SEC Freshman of the Year and highest scoring freshman in Kentucky history fell to the Hornets.
On Tuesday night, Charlotte addressed one of its biggest needs (rim protection) by trading for Dwight Howard. On Thursday night, they drafted the best shooter in the 2017 class that is much more than just a spot up bomber.
Some mock drafts had Monk going as high as number 3, but with one of the highest touted classes in recent memory, many foresaw someone falling. It just so happened that it was Monk, a player Charlotte fans had pinpointed as an ideal fit with the Hornets. It turns out the front office agreed, despite not expecting him to be there.
Fit:
During their 48-win campaign of 2015–16, the Hornets ranked top 5 in the NBA in both 3-point attempts and makes. That efficiency deteriorated last season thanks to the departures of Jeremy Lin, Courtney Lee and a myriad of injuries.
Charlotte is one of the heaviest pick-and-roll teams in the league, and that system craves space. The roster wasn’t able to rise to the task last season, as sharpshooter Marco Belinelli shot a pedestrian 36 percent from deep and others (not named Kemba Walker) failed to convert from deep consistently.
That changes with Monk, a player who made just a hair under 40 percent from deep in his lone year at Kentucky, many from NBA range. He’s the rare shooter who combines range and efficiency. Oh, and he’s a way better athlete than he had a chance to show at Kentucky, registering a 42-inch vertical at big blue’s preseason combine last year (he didn’t participate in the NBA combine).
Dwayne Bacon (40th overall) Guard/Forward, Florida State
Grade: B+
Stats: 17.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.7 assists per game, .452/.333/.754 splits
Analysis:
Undoubtably my favorite name of the draft, the Hornets traded the 31st pick (Frank Jackson) they received from Atlanta in the D12 trade for Mr. Bacon and cash. I like the pick, after watching some film of Bacon. He’s a 6'6 wing with a 6'10 wingspan and flat out gets buckets, something the Hornets need desperately.
He’s a big, physical player that doesn’t shoot it well from deep (yet) but is use to being a high usage player, making him a prime candidate to be a big time bench contributor. It’s assumed Monk will start on the bench as a microwave-type scorer, which leaves a question who will get the minutes behind Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Jeremy Lamb or Bacon?
Fit:
After drafting almost exclusively in the frontcourt the last couple of years, Charlotte rightly concentrated on the backcourt. The NBA will never stop needing scorers, so Bacon can absolutely contribute right away.
His measurables make him a prime candidate to become a major contributor if he can develop his outside shot and not be a complete liability defensively. If anyone can make him solid on the defensive end, Clifford wouldn’t be too far down the list.
