4 teams who are the biggest threats of stealing Malik Monk from the Lakers

By Jason Reed | Apr 15, 2022

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 02: Malik Monk #11 of the Los Angeles Lakers controls the ball against Malik Beasley #5 of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first quarter at Crypto.com Arena on January 02, 2022 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. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /

3. Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cleveland Cavaliers were one of the teams mentioned by Deveney’s source that also makes sense for Malik Monk. Cleveland was one of the best stories in the NBA this season during the regular season but started to burn out towards the end of the year.

That should have been expected. Cleveland is a really young team that is establishing a new identity. Playing a full 82-game season is a hard thing to do and regardless of the final result, the Cavs took a massive step in the right direction towards building a winner.

Cleveland is not going to sign a marquee free agent this summer but they should continue to make lesser additions with role players that can add something to the rotation. Monk is exactly the kind of player that they should be pursuing with the MLE.

The Cavaliers ranked 15th in the league in three-point percentage last season and adding a role player off the bench that can space the floor would be huge for the team. Guard depth was a real area of issue for the Cavs last season and while he is a poor defender, Monk would give the team that third guard option that can score that is currently does not have.

And hey, who knows. LeBron James really loves Malik Monk so maybe Monk going to Cleveland is just the prelude to LeBron eventually following him back home.

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