Malik Monk Grows Frustrated Without Playing Time This Season

The No. 11 pick in the 2017 draft might need a fresh start on a new team. After averaging 10.3 points per game last season, Malik Monk has yet to touch the floor for the Charlotte Hornets in the 2020-21 NBA season. 

Now that it’s been six straight games in which Monk has played zero minutes while being healthy, he’s starting to get frustrated. In a recent interview with The Charlotte Observer’s Rick Bonnell, Monk gave more insight into his situation and how it makes him feel. 

“Super, super, super freaking frustrating. I finally became an NBA player, finally got the minutes I thought I deserved a couple of years ago. I was proving myself. And that’s all I really could ask for at that point.”

Monk had been averaging 16.7 points per game in 28.6 minutes of action last February until a drug suspension ended his 2019-20. He was reinstated during the lockdown.

The Hornets are certainly deep at the guard positions with Devonte’ Graham, Terry Rozier and LaMelo Ball, so Monk has quite a bit of competition for playing time. While it hasn’t yet been reported that he is requesting a trade, it makes you wonder how long he will continue to sit on the bench before he wants a fresh start on a new team.