The 2022 NBA free agency class is one of the more underwhelming in recent seasons. There are a few restricted free agents that should cash in and some solid players that will be looking for paydays, but it is lacking in big-time difference makers.
One of the players who should cash in on a nice raise is Malik Monk of the Los Angeles Lakers. After facing a cold market last offseason, which resulted in him signing a one-year deal for the veteran’s minimum, Monk will have a much more robust market in 2022.
The Kentucky product is entering free agency coming off the best season of his career. He had career-highs across the board, averaging 13.8 points to go along with 3.4 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. He shot a career-best 47.3 percent from the field and knocked down 39.1 percent of his 3-point attempts.
Monk has not been shy when sharing his love for Los Angeles and the Lakers would love to have him back. Unfortunately for the team, Monk could have very well priced himself out of their range.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: NBA Insider Reveals Market Value For Lakers’ Malik Monk In Free Agency
The Lakers can only pay Monk $6.2 million based on NBA rules next season. There is a chance that he can almost double that, as teams should be willing to use their mid-level exception on him. That can be a three or four-year deal worth up to $32-45 million.
Two teams to keep an eye on in the pursuit of Monk are the Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers. They were mentioned in an article over at Heavy.com as potential landing spots by a league executive.
“The Bulls need shooting, as much as they identify as a midrange team,” he said. “They have got to find shooters. It’s 2022, you need 3s. And Cleveland, they’re going to look to make an impact in free agency. They could use a shooter, too.”
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: NBA Insider Reveals Market Value For Lakers’ Malik Monk In Free Agency
Both teams make a lot of sense as landing spots for Monk. On the Chicago Bulls, he could be a dynamic option for the second unit. If Chicago looks to make another big acquisition this offseason, they could require some good depth pieces such as Monk.
In Cleveland, he would provide them with the much-needed scoring that they lack. The Cleveland Cavaliers have shown they can be an elite defensive team, but their offense sometimes struggles. That is why they acquired Caris LeVert from the Indiana Pacers ahead of the deadline.
LATEST NBA NEWS & TRADE RUMORS: NBA Insider Reveals Market Value For Lakers’ Malik Monk In Free Agency
If Collin Sexton moves on in free agency, the need for a scoring guard increases that much more in Cleveland. They are a team on the up-and-up, as Monk would fit perfectly into their timeline as he enters his age-24 season.
