I need both speed and an external monitor

so here is my problem:
I have a late 2011 MBP with one Thunderbolt port and 2 USB2 ports.

I have to access specific data(archival material) fast and be able to handle those big files on a bigger screen.

So I thought I would go for a Lacie Thunderbolt drive and a 27" monitor.
Problem is: there's only one Thunderbolt port....so it's either or...

Then I thought that I could plug a monitor into the Thunderbolt port with an adaptor, making sure that monitor had an USB3 port I could go for a USB3 hard drive and get both speed and bigger screen.

Question is: would this even work since my MBP doesn't support USB3 in the first place?

Other solution could be to get a Thunderbolt drive connect it to the MBP then connect the monitor to the Hard Drive with the USB3 port... not sure this would be possible actually.

I can't really replace my MBP and get one that supports USB3, nor can I get a Thunderbolt monitor
Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks

Thanks, I had thought of that lacie drive with dual Thunderbolt connection as out of my budget but there are some refurb now, will give this a go.

13" as this was what I need (travel a lot) and could afford...