However, it would be safe to say the Arkansan’s first two seasons in the Queen City didn’t meet expectations, where Malik Monk was stuck behind other Charlotte Hornets teammates such as Jeremy Lamb, Michael Carter-Williams and Tony Parker.
However, year three was supposed to be a fresh start; Kemba left Charlotte, the pressure on the team to make the playoffs was reduced, and between Dwayne Bacon, Devonte’ Graham, Terry Rozier, and Monk there was to be an even, four-way battle for the two starting backcourt positions.
As it turned out, Monk struggled to prove himself to Borrego; the Hornets coach initially putt faith in Terry Rozier and Dwayne Bacon as the starting backcourt, and once the wheels started turning for Devonte Graham’s MIP campaign, Graham and Rozier ended up being Borrego’s preferred 1-2 punch for the rest of the season.