Malik Monk was one of the few bright spots in what turned out to be a horrendous season for the Los Angeles Lakers. The 24-year-old's current deal is set to end this summer and it seems that this should be one of the front office's top priorities during the offseason.
In his exit interview on Monday, Monk himself spoke out about potentially extending his stay in Hollywood. The 6-foot-3 shooting guard hinted that he would be open to a return next season (h/t Michael Corvo of ClutchPoints):
“Malik Monk said he would love to come back to the Lakers but ‘not do this again' (in terms of losing). ‘I love being here, man. I love being in this atmosphere,'” tweeted Corvo.
Malik Monk said he would love to come back to the Lakers but “not do this again" (in terms of losing). "I love being here, man. I love being in this atmosphere."
— Michael Corvo (@michaelcorvoNBA) April 11, 2022
Obviously, Monk did not say anything directly about signing a new deal. In fact, we don't even know if the Lakers will offer him an extension in the first place. It does appear to be the logical thing to do for LA but at this point, you never know.
Another significant factor that will come into play here is the other offers Monk may receive from opposing teams. He's done quite well for himself this past season and he could be in line for a much bigger deal than the $1.8 million he earned with the Lakers this year. In the end, LA might not have enough resources to match these potential offers.
What we can say for sure is that Monk enjoyed his time in LA and that he loves living in the city. The Lakers appear to be in pole position to re-sign monk so if everything goes according to plan, we should see the sharp-shooting swingman dawning the purple and gold again next season.
It is worth noting, though, that Monk is also well aware of his potential market value. He knows that this will be an important summer for him in terms of making a major financial decision but at the same time, he puts a premium on being in his comfort zone:
Monk on what he's looking for from a team as a free agent: "With little more or more money, it's just me feeling at home."
— Michael Corvo (@michaelcorvoNBA) April 11, 2022
Whatever the case may be, Monk intends to put in the work this offseason. This young man won't be resting on his laurels this summer and he intends to do everything he can to be an even better player for 2022-23:
Monk said he wants to focus on getting stronger this summer, which should help him on defense.
He added that he "became a more mature man" this season, and credited the impact of the veterans for raising his game.
— Michael Corvo (@michaelcorvoNBA) April 11, 2022
Finally, Monk also chimed in on the recent firing of now-former head coach Frank Vogel. When asked if the tension between Vogel and Russell Westbrook permeated within the Lakers locker room, Monk was brutally honest in his response:
“I think it was just more personal between those two guys than a team aspect,” he said. “… They never really let that come between us and the team.”
Monk all but confirmed here how Vogel never really saw eye to eye with Westbrook. In the end, it was Vogel who got the short end of the stick and he will now need to find a new home after being axed by the Lakers front office. Russ, on the other hand, isn't completely out of the woods just yet. With how things are looking right now, it wouldn't be a complete shock if the Lakers somehow find a way to move Westbrook despite the major stumbling block that is the $47.1 million he's set to earn this coming season. It might be improbable, but it sure ain't impossible.