3 reasons why the Los Angeles Lakers could shockingly trade Malik Monk

By Jason Reed | Jan 24, 2022

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 03: Malik Monk #11 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts to his missed three pointer during a 119-115 LA Clippers win at Staples Center on December 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2021 NBAE (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

2. Malik Monk is one of few Lakers with trade value and his value has never been higher

The Los Angeles Lakers have one player with trade value that has been discussed at full length this season: Talen Horton-Tucker. However, as we have broken down here at Lake Show Life, the Lakers missed their chance to trade THT and now trading him would be absurd, especially after choosing to re-sign him over Alex Caruso.

Russell Westbrook has no trade value and the Lakers would have to trade assets with him to get him off the books. LeBron James and Anthony Davis are not going anywhere (obviously). Kendrick Nunn might have had value before but his injury getting prolonged throughout the season only lowers the chances of him being traded.

Then we turn to the minimum players. While someone like Dwight Howard could have second-round value, the one minimum player that actually has value to both contending teams and young teams is Malik Monk.

There is a world in which the Los Angeles Lakers get desperate and Monk is someone who gets put into a package for player like Jerami Grant. We already know that the Pistons rejected LA’s first offer that was centered around THT and a first-round pick.

Plus, even though the team is not utilizing him properly, Monk’s value has never been higher. Rob Pelinka may see that and try and strike while the iron is hot.

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