The offseason may have slowed down for some teams, but the Los Angeles Lakers appear poised to handle more business. Their summer has produced no shortage of headlines.
Whether the Lakers improved from last season is a debate for another time, but they are clearly different.
Now with Luka Doncic as the undisputed leader and face of the franchise, the Lakers made a wave of moves to help surround Doncic with players that have the tools to excel alongside a superstar playmaker. Of the several free agent additions the Lakers made, perhaps the two players positioned to play bigger roles are Collin Sexton and Quentin Grimes, a pair of two-way stars and capable spot-up shooters.
But how about that scoring spark plug off the bench? Who will step up as the sixth man for L.A.? With the Lakers not done making moves, a surprise reunion trade can’t be totally dismissed.
Lakers Trade Proposal Brings Back Beloved Scoring Guard Malik Monk
GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 23: Malik Monk #11 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts in the second half against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on November 23, 2021 in New York City. The New York Knicks defeated the Los Angeles Lakers 106-100. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
Some are still wondering why the Lakers let him go after just one season. After all, he was one of the few truly productive players for the now-infamous 2021-22 Lakers. L.A. might want to look into re-acquiring Monk, the 28-year-old Sacramento Kings guard.
If the Lakers want a dependable scorer who can provide 12-15 points per game off the bench, they should pick up the phone and call the Kings to discuss a trade that gets Monk back to L.A. Here’s a proposed framework that involves the Clippers as a third-team.
Lakers receive: Malik Monk and a 2030 second round pick (via LAC)
Kings receive: Dalton Knecht and three second round picks (via LAL)
Clippers receive: Jarred Vanderbilt
It is important to reiterate that this trade is hypothetical and intended as a fun suggestion. So, why might all three teams agree to this deal?
Why Both L.A. Teams and Sacramento Does the Trade
For the Kings, another all-out rebuild was on the horizon the moment they traded De’Aaron Fox, the face of the franchise, to the San Antonio Spurs two seasons ago. With Domantas Sabonis and Zach LaVine also on the cusp of finding new homes, it makes little sense to retain a win-now player in Monk. Instead, the Kings grab multiple draft picks and a 25-year-old sharpshooter in Knecht in exchange for Monk, who is due just over $20 million next season.
For the Clippers, who are still relatively light at power forward even after signing Rui Hachimura — oh look, another ex-Laker! — adding Vanderbilt, an elite on-ball defender for a distant second round pick is solid business. Another plus: Vanderbilt would slide right into the Clippers’ traded player exception, allowing the team to add an impact player without increasing payroll by a single dime.
Meanwhile, the Lakers get a go-to scorer off the bench and further bolster their depth. All title contending teams have that one guy off the bench that is good for a couple of 3-pointers and a flurry of points in the second half. The Lakers would be getting that player in Monk, who has averaged nearly 15 points per game in the last four seasons in Sacramento.
Monk, a former first round pick, averaged a tick under 14 points per game for an L.A. team led by LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook in the 2021 season. Many Lakers fans were upset he was let go after just one season.
Well, here’s an opportunity to get him back.
Lakers Proposed to Bring Back Malik Monk, 40% 3-Pt Sniper, in 3-Team Trade