Malik Monk reveals no team wanted him in free agency besides Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers gained more than they bargained for — in a good way — with the Malik Monk signing.
Los Angeles inked him to a one-year deal for the veteran minimum over the summer. The Charlotte Hornets drafted him No. 11 overall in 2017 but opted not to extend a qualifying offer.
That allowed Monk to become an unrestricted free agent at just 23 years old. However, he revealed after Monday’s practice that the list of teams interested in him was basically zero.
“It was crazy for me because … you never see that many lottery picks that get to be unrestricted,” Monk said. “And it kind of hit me hard when nobody really wanted me besides the Lakers, so I just put fuel in my tank and just held it in until I get time to play and prove I belong for long periods of time, and that’s what I’m doing right now.”
Monk continued about his thought process during the situation.
“Yeah, it was hard for me. Some days I didn’t know what to think. Some days I was like ‘God is going to do what’s best for both of us’ and it’s been happening,” Monk said. “I’ve been playing good, and I’m gonna continue to keep doing that.”
Monk has scored at least 15 points in the last five games, including a nod in the starting lineup. He has eclipsed 20 points three times in that span.
Unfortunately, he becomes an unrestricted free agent again in the summer. More teams should be interested in him this time around if he sustains this level of play, so it’ll be interesting to see if he decides to stay with the Lakers since they were the team that gave him an opportunity when no one else did.
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