Malik Monk was the Los Angeles Lakers’ third-best player for large portions of the 2021-22 NBA campaign. When either Anthony Davis or LeBron James was out, he would often be the team’s second-best player.
Over the course of the season he averaged 13.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.9 assists while shooting 39 percent from three-point range.
Last year Monk played on a $1.7 million salary – an extremely cost-effective deal given his production. Now, as a free agent, he wants more.
The 24-year-old has been very blunt up to this point regarding how he feels about returning to the Lakers for less money in 2022-23.
But what’s the likeliest scenario?
During a recent conversation with NBA insider Marc Stein, Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report revealed that the Sacramento Kings were a contender for Monk’s services.
“It’s a very different situation than the Lakers, but I know that there’s mutual interest,” he said.
“The one team I’ve heard to look out for other than the Lakers is the Sacramento Kings.”
Monk would be a great fit on the Kings. Unfortunately, that team is currently struggling to figure out what its identity truly is. Does it want to contend for the playoffs and build around its De’Aaron Fox-Domantas Sabonis core? Or does it want to start anew with a rebuild?
The answer to that question will likely determine how hard they pursuit Monk.
Monk has been fairly honest about his future in L.A. and what that would entail. Beyond that, there are presently four squads out there actively looking to nab him in some capacity.
— Game 7 (@game7__) June 30, 2022
What uniform will Monk be wearing by the time the 2022-23 season commences?
Time will tell.
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A graduate from the University of Texas, Anthony Amador has been credentialed to cover the Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, San Antonio Spurs, Dallas Mavericks and high school games all over the Lone Star State. Currently, his primary beats are the NBA, MLB, NFL and UFC.
