A number of the Lakers‘ 2021 offseason acquisitions haven’t worked out as well as the team had hoped, but one bright spot has been Malik Monk. The fifth-year guard has significantly outplayed his minimum-salary contract, averaging a career-high 12.9 PPG on .464/.394/.767 shooting in 63 games (27.6 MPG).
Los Angeles’ ability to offer Monk a raise when he returns to free agency this summer will be limited, but VP of basketball operations Rob Pelinka would like to retain the former lottery pick if possible, as Dave McMenamin of ESPN relays.
“The partnership has been a win from both sides,” Pelinka said. “Both for the Lakers, in terms of the productivity he’s had for us and then I think on his side, just showing people what he can do in big moments in big games. … He’s a guy that we would see as hopefully a part of our future.”
According to McMenamin, when Monk reached unrestricted free agency last year, he only received interest from three teams: the Lakers, Knicks, and Mavericks. And by the sounds of it, none of those teams were willing to offer more than the league minimum.
“Did I think Malik could make a few more dollars than a minimum? Yes, I did,” agent Jeff Schwartz said. “Unfortunately, the offers just didn’t come. So then it was about finding the right place. … I was disappointed there was no bigger offers out there, but I also know sometimes you got to just go out and show it for a year.”
Asked to make a quick decision during free agency so that the Lakers could move onto other targets if he turned them down, Monk accepted L.A.’s offer and hasn’t regretted it, despite the team’s struggles this season. After four challenging seasons in Charlotte, Monk is playing more – and better – than ever with the Lakers and appreciates that the organization was willing to take a shot on him.
“They put a lot of trust in me,” Monk says. “And I just feel comfortable, man, to go out and perform for them.”
Because the Lakers will only hold Monk’s Non-Bird rights and won’t have any cap room this offseason, the highest starting salary they’ll be able to offer will likely be $6.34MM, the projected amount of the taxpayer mid-level exception. Without dipping into their MLE, the Lakers would only be able to give Monk a 20% raise above the minimum.
It’s possible a more lucrative offer will await Monk elsewhere, but the 24-year-old tells McMenamin he has had a “beautiful experience” with the Lakers, while Marcus Monk – Malik’s older brother and manager – suggests a return to L.A. is possible.
“We’re very loyal people,” Marcus said. “The Lakers were calling him nonstop once free agency opened. So we don’t forget about that. On the other side, it is a business. … But I would love to see him in a Laker uniform.”
I smell an overpay…coming
I smell someone who didn’t read past the title
Monk stands to make more than the MLE… hard to see him returning to LA
Indeed, he’d have to have a ton of handshake faith to get him to early bird rights for the Lakers which is the goal .
I couldn’t do it myself but the template has been set already on guys like Bobby Portis for it to happen so there’s still some hope
The best thing the lakers can do is trade Lebron. They do that and then trade AD when he puts together enough games where he’s healthy.
Meh. Keep or lose monk, not a big deal.
Lose Pelinka. And the Rambis’. Owner’s best friend is not necessarily the best person to listen to.
Likely to lose Monk
Run it back is good for future
Do you love run it back?
Do you?
I’ve really enjoyed watching Malik play. Great shooter. Can create his own shot. Plays hard.
One of the few Laker’s bright spots this year.
Maybe he can become a little better defender.
Not sure if that $6.35mil MLE is expected to be used for Monk.
Monk does have a “showtime” look, that is worth something for the battered Lakers. He is 23 and could have been in the NCAA tourny that’s going on, attending a safe haven for experimentation and hangovers. He offers offense independent of James and shoots 40%3s.
But is PER is still only 14. Etc.