After his great season with the Lakers, Malik Monk is about to test his worth again at the Free Agency. While several teams could give him a nice check, the back seems ready to reduce the note to … stay with the Purple and Gold.
LeBron James’ pals’ season was particularly disappointing, but amid the dark clouds, the occasional ray of sunshine stood out. There was the King’s new masterclass of course, the nice surprise Austin Reaves but also a precious Malik Monk. With 13.8 points on average at 47% in the shoot (including 39% of the parking lot) in 28 minutes, the scoring back did the job at the Crypto.com Arena and he had his best statistical season on the side of LA Sometimes starting, sometimes replacing, he saved the buttocks of the Angelinos more than once thanks to blows hot well felt in the money time. Signed for a pittance a year ago (minimum wage), Monk therefore has a great opportunity to please his banker this summer. While the Lakers’ finances are not flamboyant, Hollywood may therefore fear to see its arsonist set sail. Not necessarily if we are to believe the main interested party, who could favor the framework over the money during the Free Agency. Comments relayed by Jovan Buha of The Athletic.
“Money is always a factor, but I don’t think it’s my Free Agency’s biggest priority this year. It’s feeling like I have a home and I can go there and do the same things I did this year. The Lakers may not be able to pay me as much as I want, but I could be here and be a lot more comfortable as a Laker than going to any other team that pays me 5 million dollars more. »
Well in Los Angeles and at the Purple and gold, Monk therefore reaches out to his franchise and Rob Pelinka. It’s hard to imagine the rear taking another year at least, but in any case he seems ready to make a big effort to keep some stability and help the Lakers. Some fans had considered Monk a ring chaser last summer as he took a low salary to join the Big 3 but the truth seems quite far from this version. Still according to Buha, only the Lakers and the Mavs had requested the back last offseason! Abandoned by a large part of the League, the player is therefore grateful to the franchise and that plays a lot in his desire to help his family.which is confirmed by his brother Marcus.
“He loved being here. He wants to be a Laker. But we can’t have conversations with the Lakers at this point. So once these conversations start happening, hopefully they’ll see it the same way… We’re very loyal people. We are very grateful for the opportunity this organization gave him. And we don’t take these things lightly.”
The GM of the Lakers therefore has a huge green light if he wishes to extend the rear. To see now how much the franchise will agree to bet on its player. Why not the taxpayer mid-level exception up to 6.3 million? A very decent price given what Monk has shown this season. We should soon have the end of the story since the Free Agency begins in two days.
Malik Monk and the Lakers, a story set to last? The former Hornets is willing to make sacrifices to stay in California and it’s a welcome boost given the franchise’s finances. Will Rob Pelinka seize the opportunity? The answer this Thursday evening.
Source texte : The Athletic / Jovan Buha