Getting seriously paid in the NBA has become more difficult following the CBA's introduction of the first and second apron. Stars still get their bag, but the middle class has been suffering. Jonathan Kuminga has been a part of that struggling group of players stuck in between.
The mutual interest between the Los Angeles Lakers and Kuminga has been there according to various insiders around the team. The biggest hold-up right now is reportedly coming from just how much money Los Angeles can reasonably deliver to the free agent forward.
This should not be the impasse that it is. On top of the fact that Luka Doncic has gotten multiple role players paid beyond their station in the past, the Lakers have also been a launching pad for guys to get their money following a successful stint in Los Angeles. Malik Monk, we are looking at you.
Dave McMenamin reminded everyone of that during a recent segment on ESPN.
"You'll play on the biggest stage in basketball, and you may have to take a pay cut for a year or two, but you can get back into the big dollars. Malik Monk did that years ago for the Lakers. He's made close to $100 million in NBA contracts with Sacramento Kings since."
Malik Monk laid the groundwork for how Jonathan Kuminga can earn big money
To McMenamin's point, Monk took a miniscule $1.8 million to join the Lakers for the 2021-22 season following a polarizing stint with the Charlotte Hornets to start his career. The formery lottery pick shined under the bright lights of Los Angeles.
Monk averaged 13.8 points per game, shooting 47.3 percent from the field and 39.1 percent from beyond the arc. Watching him play became a much-needed bright spot for Lakers fans amid an otherwise turbulent 2021-22 season for the team.
After that campaign was over, Monk got $19.4 million from the Kings in free agency. Building on the player he proved himself to be in Los Angeles, Sacramento felt confident enough to hand him a near $78 million contract extension from there.
Does Kuminga not think he is capable of doing something similar?
Sure, taking a small deal in the short-term hurts the wallet temporarily. However, making that sacrifice and delivering big-time play for the Lakers would set up his financial future perfectly.
Even amid an immediate pay cut, Los Angeles provides plenty of opportunities to make that money up elsewhere in off-court brand deals and endorsements. If finances are a top priority for Kuminga, buying in on the long-term upside offered by the Lakers can prove to be a lucrative decision. Monk would attest to that.
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