5. Malik Monk, Sacramento Kings
This could get tricky, but it's still worth considering as the Los Angeles Lakers weigh every option. Malik Monk has become one of the best sixth men in the NBA since leaving the Lakers in 2022, far outplaying the two-year, $19,418,049 contract he signed with the Sacramento Kings.
As Monk hits the open market again in 2024, he could be a sign-and-trade target for an L.A. squad that could certainly use a player with his skill set.
Monk, 26, played one season with the Lakers and effectively rebranded himself as a worthwhile option in free agency. He averaged 13.8 points on 47.3 percent shooting from the field and a more than commendable mark of 39.1 percent from three-point range.
The 173 three-point field goals that Monk buried for Los Angeles set a standard for Lakers players that only D'Angelo Russell has reached over the past two seasons.
In terms of his run in Sacramento, Monk has played a prominent role in the resurgence of the Kings. His explosive athleticism and dynamic shot-making have helped him become a fan favorite, while his willingness to pass defined the best season of his career: 2023-24.
With career-best averages of 15.4 points and 5.1 assists per game, Monk set an interesting market for himself in free agency.
If the price isn't too hefty, then perhaps a sign-and-trade for a player who can be the explosive scoring threat the Lakers need off the bench would be worthwhile.