Malik Monk leaves Lakers to join Sacramento Kings
When guard Malik Monk signed with the Los Angeles Lakers last summer for the veteran’s minimum salary, it was seen as a big steal.
The 6-foot-3 man was the 11th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, but in four pro seasons, he hadn’t really panned out.
His one-year, $1.8 million contract with L.A. was another opportunity for him to prove he could still fulfill his potential.
In what was a terrible season for the Purple and Gold, Monk was one of the few bright spots for the team, averaging 13.8 points in 28.1 minutes a game while shooting 47.3 percent from the field and 39.1 percent from 3-point range.
But he will now be joining the Sacramento Kings as a free agent.
Sources: Malik Monk is signing a two-year, $19M deal to join the Kings. https://t.co/spgbvRZspx
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022
Monk’s strong play this season raised his value around the NBA, and many expected that he would be worth more than the Lakers’ taxpayer mid-level exception, which is nearly $6.4 million.
He had hinted that he would be open to staying with L.A. for less money, but that is out of the window now.
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