The Los Angeles Lakers continue to add three-point shooting. On Tuesday, the Lakers signed unrestricted free agent Malik Monk. The Charlotte Hornets declined to extend the qualifying offer to the 23-year old despite a strong 2020-21 season.
ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski first reported the deal.
This is 🔥 https://t.co/LeGU2yIlxR
— Michael Corvo (@michaelcorvo_) August 3, 2021
Monk was drafted No. 11 overall by the Hornets in the 2017 NBA Draft. He struggled to find his footing in his first three seasons, shooting 39.5% from the field and 32.3% from three-point range.
In his fourth season, though, Monk hit 40.1% from downtown on a career-high 5.0 attempts per game and averaged 11.7 PPG.
Malik Monk is coming off a career year in Charlotte. Time to put him around some play makers. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/OrdDzgLW74
— Cats Coverage (@Cats_Coverage) August 2, 2021
Monk is a career 84.3% free-throw shooter, and few peers possess his heat-check ability (one player who does, Ben McLemore, played 21 games for the Lakers in 2020-21 but signed with the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday).




Monk also adds a much-needed infusion of youth to the new-look Lakers, especially following the departure of Alex Caruso. In general, the Lakers currently have few players in their “prime.” Thus far into free agency, the Lakers have added Wayne Ellington (33), Trevor Ariza (36), Carmelo Anthony (37), Dwight Howard (35), and Kent Bazemore (32). Marc Gasol, 36, announced he will be returning to finish out his contract with the Lakers. Russell Westbrook is 32.
Contract details were not immediately clear on Monk. The Lakers have the $5.9 taxpayer mid-level exception at their disposal (which they can divide up), along with veteran minimums. Including Anthony and Monk, the Lakers have five more roster spots to fill, and one big decision to make on 20-year old restricted free agent Talen Horton-Tucker.
Los Angeles is taking a flyer on Monk, but he could end up being a home-run signing for Rob Pelinka. For the moment, it makes the loss of Caruso sting a bit less.
On paper, the Lakers seem to be sacrificing perimeter defense for offensive potency.
More to come.