One word to describe every player on the Los Angeles Lakers this season

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 17: (L-R) Anthony Davis #3, Russell Westbrook #0, and LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers look on against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the third quarter of the game at Target Center on December 17, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Lakers 110-92. 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 David Berding/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 17: (L-R) Anthony Davis #3, Russell Westbrook #0, and LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers look on against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the third quarter of the game at Target Center on December 17, 2021 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Timberwolves defeated the Lakers 110-92. 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 David Berding/Getty Images)
5 of 12
(Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers
(Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) – Los Angeles Lakers

Malik Monk: Goodbye

Malik Monk has been perhaps the best part of the 2021-22 season for the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers signed the young, former lottery pick to a minimum contract this offseason and he has proven that every other team was foolish for not being interested in him.

He is someone who I really liked heading into the season and while I have been wrong about a lot of things when it comes to the Lakers, Monk’s breakout season as one of the best microwave scorers off the bench in the league has been spot on.

The problem is that he is going to play himself out of LA. Monk’s agent did say that he hopes he can be a Laker forever but unless Monk is not interested in making money, then he is likely going to be saying goodbye to the Lakers this offseason.

Assuming Westbrook is still under contract next season, the most the Lakers are going to be able to offer Monk is the Taxpayer’s Mid Level Exception, which was worth $5.9 million this season. Chances are that Monk will get at least offers for the Non-Taxpayer’s MLE, which is worth nearly twice as much per year.

Is Monk really going to give the Lakers a huge hometown discount, signing a two-year deal worth just under $12 million when he can sign a four-year deal worth over $40 million? Probably not.