Mar 23, 2017; Memphis, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Malik Monk (5) shoots a layup during practice the day before the South Regional semifinals of the 2017 NCAA Tournament at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

New York Knicks: Lonzo Ball is destined to be a New York Knick by James O'Connell

New York Knicks analyst Wally Szczerbiak weighed in on the 2017 NBA Draft. He believes that Kentucky Wildcats star Malik Monk would best fit the triangle.

The New York Knicks are preparing for an event that will determine the trajectory of the Phil Jackson era. For all that’s been said about his first three seasons at the helm, the 2017 NBA Draft could enable Jackson to silence his critics.

With the event now less than two months away, everyone with a voice is offering their opinion on whom the Knicks should be targeting.

The general consensus around the NBA is that Phil Jackson needs to draft a point guard in 2017. There are a number of options, but only a select few will be available if the Knicks maintain the current position at No. 7 overall.

According to Marc Berman of The New York Post, MSG Network analyst Wally Szczerbiak likes the idea of Malik Monk running point in the triangle offense.

“He might be able to play point in the triangle system,’’ he said. “A system for a guy who’s not a playmaker and used to playing off the ball would be perfect. Dribble the ball up the floor and enter the ball into the triangle and running the cuts and motion to get him open looks. That would bode well for him. He’s really good off ball, coming off screens. The best player in this draft coming off the ball. He’s a little streaky. ’’

Monk is a somewhat polarizing prospect, but Szczerbiak’s take on the matter is one that’s consistent with the expectations of the triangle offense.

Monk is a capable passer, but he hasn’t yet proven himself to be a genuine facilitator. That’s understandably off-putting at the point guard position, but his skill set caters to the system Phil Jackson is insisting the Knicks run in 2017-18.

Whether or not you’re a fan of the triangle offense, New York needs to acquire personnel who can adequately run whichever system is chosen.

If the triangle offense is the system that Jackson and Jeff Hornacek plan to be running over the next two years, then drafting Monk would make some measure of sense.

Monk is an almost incomparable athlete at 6’3″ with a 42″ max vertical leap and intriguing end-to-end speed. He’s also an outstanding 3-point shooter who can work both with and without the ball, creating off the bounce and utilizing screens to find openings.

While most point guards are asked to facilitate the offense, the triangle has a different set of requirements and expectations.

In the triangle offense, a point guard is often asked to play without the ball and space the floor. Stationing a player in the corner isn’t ideal in most scenarios, but Monk adds the element of being able to run off screens.

That could help him become both the triangle offense point guard and New York’s featured perimeter scoring option.

Malik Monk is a polarizing prospect, but he could fit the New York Knicks quite well.