Los Angeles Lakers roster: 3 players under the most pressure this season

By Jason Reed | Sep 13, 2021

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MAY 03: Anthony Davis #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to a play against the Denver Nuggets during the first quarter at Staples Center on May 03, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

2. Malik Monk

This is exactly the same situation as Kendrick Nunn although Malik Monk’s value is less than that of Nunn. While he probably would not have gotten the kind of offers that Nunn could have received he definitely could have signed for a deal similar to what Nunn has now.

Instead, the 24-year-old 2017 lottery pick signed for the league minimum. This early in his career Monk is signing a minimum deal, which is usually a death sentence for a player’s NBA career. Very few players rebound from being at this point.

However, the signs are there for Monk to be successful. He finally started to put it all together and become that microwave scoring presence off the bench for the Hornets last season. He averaged over 11 points in 20 minutes per game and shot above 40% from three.

He was one of the worst defensive players in the league, which is a problem, but his scoring as a bench player was extremely enticing. Then he got hurt, which tanked any of the value that he may have been building up with his play.

Monk has to come out and have a good, healthy season with the Lakers. Personally, I am really excited to see what he can do in LA but if he does not reach his potential then his NBA career could end much sooner than he expected.

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