At 23 years old and entering his fifth NBA season, Malik Monk was not expected to play on a veteran minimum contract. While he wasn’t in line for a massive payday, it was assumed he was worth — at the very least — a mid-level exception. So when the Los Angeles Lakers picked Monk up at that minimum value, it was seen as a steal.
Monk has had some difficulties during the opening stage of his career. Inconsistency on the court and trouble off of it plagued his first three seasons. However, in his fourth year, he took off, averaging 11.