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5 offseason moves the Los Angeles Lakers need to make

By Holden Walter-Warner

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 16: Russell Westbrook #0, LeBron James #6 and Talen Horton-Tucker #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers check on teammate Anthony Davis #3 after an injury in the second quarter against the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena on February 16, 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)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 16: Russell Westbrook #0, LeBron James #6 and Talen Horton-Tucker #5 of the Los Angeles Lakers check on teammate Anthony Davis #3 after an injury in the second quarter against the Utah Jazz at Crypto.com Arena on February 16, 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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Los Angeles Lakers
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – OCTOBER 06: Malik Monk #11 of the Los Angeles Lakers handles the ball against Cameron Johnson #23 of the Phoenix Suns during the first half of the NBA preseason game at Footprint Center on October 06, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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 Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

5 offseason moves the Los Angeles Lakers need to make: 2. Bring back Malik Monk

Malik Monk was one of the bright spots for the Lakers, averaging a career-high in points and serving as a league leader in effective field goal percentage during his first season with the team. Bringing him back may not be so simple, though.

Monk needed to rebuild his reputation after an indefinite suspension prior to the pandemic and he managed to do relatively quietly, despite playing for one of the noisiest teams. Monk averaged 13.4 points per game in 2021-22, shooting a career-high 47.2 percent from the field.

After the Charlotte Hornets declined to extend a qualifying offer to Monk in the offseason, he signed with the Lakers for just $1.79 million on a one-year deal. There’s no doubt that he’ll be looking for an improved contract this summer.

The Lakers should have the $6.4 million taxpayer mid-level exception heading into the offseason. That would help, though the non-taxpayer mid-level exception is projected to be for four years at about $44.5 million, according to HoopsHype. Without the exception, Monk likely won’t be able to get anything close to market value from the Lakers.

According to Bleacher Report, polled personnel believe Monk could command between $5 million and $10 million on the open market this summer. That might be too rich for the Lakers’ blood.

Considering the sheer number of contracts coming off the books (and the fact that a coaching change may be coming), continuity is going to be hard to come by next season. While that’s largely a good thing, all things considered, the Lakers should consider investing in a young player who proved his worth this season.

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