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

By Jason Reed

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)
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 Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers /

3. Malik Monk is likely not going to be part of the future anyway

This is the hardest pill to swallow. Regardless of whether or not the Los Angeles Lakers do trade Malik Monk this season he is not going to be on the team next season. The only way that Monk is a Laker next year is if every team once again punts on him in free agency and Monk is forced to sign another minimum deal with the Lakers.

As mentioned, Monk’s value has never been higher and while the Lakers are not utilizing him properly, it is really hard to see every single team punting on him once more and him only getting a minimum deal.

It also would be extremely shocking if Monk passes on more money to sign a minimum deal with the Lakers. Usually that kind of move is reserved for veterans who have already made a fair amount in the NBA. Plus, after this season, it is not like the Lakers have a great chance of winning the title next year so he would not even be ring chasing.

The Lakers simply are not going to have the money to offer anything of value to Monk. The team is still tied up with the Russell Westbrook contract, which actually goes up to $47.1 million next season. Like this season, that restricts what the team can sign Monk to.

They physically can’t sign him to a full MLE deal because they are going to be over the cap. They could sign him to a Taxpayer’s MLE, but he is likely going to get more than $5 million in free agency.

The same logic can be applied to the bi-annual exception, which the Lakers will have.

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It would be a huge example of loyalty if Malik Monk decided to stay for well under his market value after this season. Knowing that it is likely not going to happen, that could be the final deciding factor in the Lakers

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