Right now, Malik Monk has emerged as one of the few lone bright spots on an otherwise lackluster Los Angeles Lakers team. The 24-year-old has become a key player for LA this season, making the team's decision to sign him from free agency last summer a stroke of genius — especially considering all the other questionable moves their front office made during the offseason.

As it turns out, however, Monk signing with the Lakers almost never happened. According to Monk himself, not even a recruitment call from none other than LeBron James was enough to convince him to take his talents to Hollywood on the spot:

“I told LeBron I wanted to wait to see my options the next day,” Monk said, via Jovan Buha of The Athletic. “Shit, I didn’t have any options. Called the Lakers right back that second day and I said, ‘I’m coming.’”

After a strong showing for the Charlotte Hornets during the 2020-21 season, Monk had established himself as a sought-after free agent in the market. He was confident enough to think that several teams would come calling. Apparently, that never happened.

It's a good thing LeBron or the Lakers didn't take offense to Monk initially turning down their offer to sign with the team. Well, technically, Malik didn't really reject LA. He just said that he wanted to keep his options open. What is clear is that he refused to commit to the Lakers on the first go. Then again, everything changed less than 24 hours later.

For his part, however, LeBron does not hold anything against Monk. James fully understands the intricacies of free agency himself. In the end, The King is just happy to be playing alongside Monk right now:

“Obviously, he used the offseason as a lot of fuel,” James said. “Not many teams came calling. And I’m happy that we came calling and he chose us and wanted to be a part of this. I’m very proud of that and humble.”

Thanks to his strong play for the Lakers this season, Monk has established himself as a key cog for the team. Perhaps even more importantly, the 6-foot-3 shooting guard has done enough to get on the good graces of LeBron James:

“The one thing I know is, when LeBron James has the ultimate confidence in you, man, that has to feel good,” assistant coach David Fizdale said earlier in the season. “And I know LeBron’s got big-time confidence in Malik Monk.”

In 52 games played this season, Monk has averaged 13.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in 27.1 minutes per contest. He's also draining 2.3 triples per game on a 39.9-percent clip, making him a truly valuable asset for the Lakers. As a matter of fact, one might even go as far as saying that Malik Monk is one of LA's unsung heroes this term.

It's all about confidence for Monk. We all know how good of a shooter he is, but the fact that he's got the right mindset in place makes him a dangerous weapon for the Lakers:

“The Lakers just let me be me,” Monk said. “Let me play free. I’m going out there with a free mind, not worrying about a mistake, and if I’m gonna come out if I make a mistake. They just give me all the confidence to be me.”

Monk is currently on a one-year deal with the Lakers and he's going to be a free agent again this coming offseason. He's set to pocket $1.8 million in salaries this year and it just feels like he's up for a pay rise next season — be it with the Lakers or otherwise.