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NBA: 5 biggest sleepers to win the Rookie of the Year award in 2017-18

By Dillon Dente

GREENBURGH, NY - AUGUST 11: Malik Monk of the Charlotte Hornets poses for a portrait during the 2017 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG Training Center on August 11, 2017 in Greenburgh, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
GREENBURGH, NY - AUGUST 11: Malik Monk of the Charlotte Hornets poses for a portrait during the 2017 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG Training Center on August 11, 2017 in Greenburgh, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /
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GREENBURGH, NY – AUGUST 11: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been digitally altered) Malik Monk of the Charlotte Hornets poses for a portrait during the 2017 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG Training Center on August 11, 2017 in Greenburgh, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
GREENBURGH, NY – AUGUST 11: (EDITORS NOTE: Image has been digitally altered) Malik Monk of the Charlotte Hornets poses for a portrait during the 2017 NBA Rookie Photo Shoot at MSG Training Center on August 11, 2017 in Greenburgh, New York. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

The lightest sleeper – AKA “The Daydreamer” – Malik Monk

One of the worst-kept secrets in basketball is that most casual fans value scoring over pretty much everything. Well, say hello to Mr. Bucket-getter himself. You will be hard-pressed to find a bigger Monk fan than myself. Monk slid his way into the sleeper conversation because he was unable to play during Summer League due to an ankle injury, and he slipped in the draft beyond his initial projections, but I haven’t just forgotten about the kid who handed the eventual National Champion UNC Tarheels 47 big ones.

In the aforementioned game, Monk gave a healthy dose of buckets to Justin Jackson, absolutely froze Joel Berry in transition, picked up assists, pulled up off the dribble, and got to the rim. Monk wasn’t a one-hit wonder though, as he went for 30+ on four separate occasions. At just 19 years old, Monk is an advanced analytics darling and far-and-above the best pure shooter of any rookie, in my opinion (50%/40%/82%).

Monk is the second-string SG on the Hornets’ depth chart, according to ESPN, but with only Michael Carter-Williams backing up Kemba Walker, I imagine Monk will be given plenty of opportunities at PG as well. Monk is a combo guard, regardless of his scoring ability, and while he seems like a natural 2-guard, his play-making abilities have been underestimated and may shine through in spurts with the Hornets.

I expect Monk could see 20-ish minutes per game, which could be enough to open the eyes of the nonbelievers.

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