MagicMatic wrote:Residual-Heat wrote:MagicMatic wrote:I like Monk. Don’t get me wrong. But he addresses one issue with shooting and he’s streaky for that kind of money. We need to address issue at point guard.
Monk is more than just a shooter. He is a decent pick n roll ball handler. He is able to create for himself and others. Drives to the rim and can pass. Per 36 he averages 7 Assts, 3 TO, 21 Points. Compare him to someone like Darius Garland who people here seem to love so much, averages 7 assts, 3.3 TO, and 19.5 points per 36. Monk has a slightly better TS%.
Yes Monk comes off the bench and plays less minutes, and I dont know exactly how he would perform as a starting PG playing 30+ MPG, but I doubt it will be a big drop off. His defense has improved to where I think you can start him on the Magic. He's not going to be a top 10 point guard, but he should be okay, and there arent many better options in FA. Obviously you also dont have to give up any assets for him and if it doesnt work out, you can still use your assets to trade for a starting guard. Either you include Monk in that trade, or move him to 6th man where we know he will be one of the best in the league in that role.
If you are paying Monk that kind of money you are 100% starting him if there is zero starting point guard on this roster. That’s the point. He
can be a pick and roll option, but if free agency boils down to landing 1 guy with a huge price tag I’m looking at an actual point guard that can set the pace and orchestrate an offense. Not a guy that can sometimes go off and pretend to be a point guard.
It depends what you mean by "huge price tag". We are paying Cole 14 mill/yr. I am fine with overpaying Monk a little bit. Something like 22 mill/yr is fine. I think he's easily worth 18/19 mill. To be clear, i am not saying we should do whatever we can to get him. I am saying he is a decent option at the right price.
We just dont have many options if we want to capitalize on our capspace before Suggs, Franz and Paolo extensions. Who are those FAs that you think can be better? Tyus Jones? I dont have much faith in him. I was okay with trading for him to help us make the play offs, but I dont want him as a long term starter. Immanuel Quickley? Im still not 100% sure he's a good starting PG either and he is a RFA we would need to overpay big time. Dinwiddie? He hasnt been good. DLO? He's an option, but i prefer Monk.
Ofcourse we're starting him. He
IS a decent pick n roll ball handler. He
does drive to the rim. He does average 7 assists per 36, those are not hypotheticals. Is he good enough to be a starter on a contender? I am not 100%, but I like him and like his fit on both sides of the court. I think he will work with our other ball handlers. He can shoot, he can run, he can cut, he can drive, he can play some defense. Super athletic, good size for the PG position, brings great energy, very entertaining, and a team 1st guy. Dont know if he's great at any particular aspect, but he is very solid. He's also still improving as a player.
If we can get a better player through trade Im 100% for it. If we could get someone better in FA I'm also for it, but realistically he is one of the best, if not the best FA available that would be willing to sign with the Magic.