Malik Monk signed a one-year, $1.7 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers last summer and played a key part for the team in 2021-22, despite their struggles. Now, the guard is a free agent but he's hoping to return to LA.
The former Kentucky standout revealed he's willing to take less money in order to stay with the Lakers just because of how much he enjoyed his time with the organization.
Via Jovan Buha of The Athletic:
“They might not be able to pay me as much as I want,” Monk said. “But I could be here and be way more comfortable as a Laker than going to any other team and they're paying me $5 million more. So it's just me trying to figure out what team would really want me.”
Monk averaged 13.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game last season for the Lakers, all career-highs. He also shot 39% from three-point land. Monk fully proved he can be an important player for Los Angeles, but the 24-year-old also made it clear that he must take the offer that is best for his long-term future:
“I definitely would still want to evaluate things,” Monk said. “You never know what happens. Some other team could come in and hopefully tell me the same thing and maybe I get a little bit more minutes on that team. So it's just actually me being presented and being able to go out there and do what I do is a priority.
“That's the biggest priority: A team that's just going to let me come in and be myself.”
Hopefully, the Lakers make Malik Monk an offer he can't refuse. Only time will tell.
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