2. Re-sign Malik Monk
Speaking of moves that are far from being a guarantee, the Los Angeles Lakers bringing back Malik Monk this summer is improbable. In fact, Monk is one of five players who we highlighted as someone who just played their last game with the Lakers. It is a shame, really, as every Laker fan wants to see Monk come back next season.
Monk was the one minimum signing who actually panned out and was better than expected. Carmelo Anthony was fine as well, but Monk was the true revelation in LA. There were signs of him being a great microwave scorer off the bench and he lived up to those signs this season.
That is why it is unlikely that he will return to the Lakers. While he seems to love being in LA, business is business at the end of the day and the Lakers are going to be able to offer Monk half of what the market is likely going to offer him.
The most Monk could get from the Lakers without Bird Rights in the Taxpayer’s Mid-Level Exception. However, there is a good chance that several teams are willing to pay him the Non-taxpayer’s MLE, which is worth twice as much.
Monk would be foolish to turn down twice as much money to stay in LA, especially considering the Lakers are in a bad state. However, that does not change the fact that it is a must-do move for the Lakers. At this point, Laker fans just have to cross their fingers and hope that we are either over-valuing Monk (unlikely) or that he makes a bad business decision.