3 players on the Lakers roster that need more minutes from Frank Vogel

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 28: Dwight Howard #39 of the Los Angeles Lakers warms up prior to the first half of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on January 28, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 28: Dwight Howard #39 of the Los Angeles Lakers warms up prior to the first half of the game against the Charlotte Hornets at Spectrum Center on January 28, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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 Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers

1. Malik Monk

Malik Monk is getting the most minutes of any player on this list and to be fair there are only so many minutes that the Los Angeles Lakers could realistically give Monk. Vogel has already figured out that Monk is an important role player on this team and we have seen his role grow as he is now averaging 27.2 minutes per game.

Over his last six games, Monk has averaged 33.8 minutes per game and that should continue being the status quo moving forward. While it appears that the Lakers are going in that direction, we have seen them sit Monk down at staggering times this season and hopefully, that will not return.

Monk should be approaching 35 minutes per game for the rest of the season and anything less than that is not optimizing what the Lakers have this season. Sure, his defense leaves more to be desired and does leave a hole on the team. However, he is the best off-ball shooter the team has and is more consistent than other options on the roster.

At some point, you just have to play your best players, even if they have certain holes in their game. Monk is arguably the third-best player on the Lakers this season (not joking) and he should get minutes as such.

Plus, he and LeBron James really seem to have great chemistry. That bodes extremely well for a role player and the Lakers should not mess that up.