Sacramento Kings Steal Lakers Guard In Free Agency

This was not the way the Los Angeles Lakers wanted free agency to begin. They were hoping that one of their bright spots from this season, guard Malik Monk, was going to stay in LA for a "hometown discount", but as soon as the clock struck 6pm on free agency, Monk upped and left for a much bigger deal up the coast.

Sources: Malik Monk is signing a two-year, $19M deal to join the Kings. https://t.co/spgbvRZspx

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2022

The Sacramento Kings signed the emerging young star, who had a career year with the Lakers, in his 5th season in the league. Monk averaged 13.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.9 assists, while shooting 39% from three-point land.

Monk had been putting out some strong signals that he loved his time in LA so much that he was willing to re-sign for less. “They might not be able to pay me as much as I want, but I could be here and be way more comfortable as a Laker than going to any other team and they're paying me $5 million more."

Turns out he did accept about $5M per year more from the Kings. 

Photo Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports