On a Spotify Live appearance with Marc Stein, Jake Fischer of Bleacher Report said he has heard there’s mutual interest between the Kings and Malik Monk in free agency (hat tip to Talkin’ NBA). Monk played college ball at Kentucky with De’Aaron Fox, so there’s obviously a connection between the two athletic guards.
Monk had a career-year in his first season with the Lakers last season, averaging 13.8 PPG, 3.4 RPG and 2.9 APG on .473/.391/.795 shooting in 76 games (37 starts, 28.1 MPG). He’s reportedly looking for a role where he can receive significant minutes and “be himself,” as he told Jovan Buha of The Athletic.
The Kings could offer Monk the mid-level exception, projected to be worth about $10.5MM next season, which is significantly more than the Lakers can offer (taxpayer MLE — $6.5MM).
Here are more rumors ahead of free agency, which kicks off in less than 17 hours:
- Fischer also reports (hat tip to Talkin’ NBA) that in addition to Denver, Detroit and Washington, the Bulls are in the mix for Victor Oladipo. Fischer previously wrote that Oladipo was unlikely to remain with Miami.
- John Gambadoro of Arizona Sports 98.7 FM Phoenix hears (via Twitter) that Suns backup center JaVale McGee is looking for a multiyear deal, with the Bucks, Mavericks and Nets interested in his services. Gambadoro adds that he’s unsure if Phoenix would go for a two-year deal to re-sign McGee, who was highly productive (9.2 PPG, 6.7 RPG and 1.1 BPG) in a reserve role with the Suns last season (74 games, 15.8 MPG).
- Patty Mills is expected to draw “significant interest” on the free agent market after declining his player option, but he hasn’t ruled out a return to the Nets, sources tell Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN (Twitter link). Brian Lewis of The New York Post hears Mills and his wife enjoyed their time in Brooklyn, but it’s possible he could get a more lucrative offer elsewhere.
- Sources tell Marc Stein (via Twitter) that Isaiah Hartenstein hasn’t ruled out a return to the Clippers, stating that it’s “well-known among rival teams” with interest in the center that he might re-sign with Los Angeles. Lewis hears similarly, with sources close to the 24-year-old telling The Post that “he loves” playing for the Clips. The main issue is the Clippers are reportedly using their taxpayer MLE to sign John Wall, so they’ll be extremely limited in what they can offer Hartenstein. Stein previously reported that the Magic are the “leading suitor” for Hartenstein, who has also been linked to the Bulls, Raptors and Rockets.
Bulls need a big so badly
But they need scoring wings with size that can play defense more than then they need a defensive center.
Lonzo is hurt and could have a career diminishing injury. Outside LaVine the rest of their roster has a dearth of consistent 3 point shooters and none of them had size. What did we see the problem was in the playoffs for the Bulls? It wasn’t overall defense. It was a lack of size among forwards and a lack of outside shooting. Gotta address that first.
They can address both issues… they have a whole offseason to do so. I would hope they don’t stop at Hartenstein and I would guess they don’t.
Hartenstein staying with the Clippers hurts his career, since he can’t get minutes there.
I wonder if a team can sell him on taking the next step by making him a starter?
Hartenstein got as much minutes as Zu.
Zubac got 50% more minutes, 1852 vs 1216.
Zubac: more physical, more rebounds. Hartnstn gets more assists per whatever, and does get more minutes than some backups… Clips give him more run than anyone else has, and he got his highest PER at 22.
He would be justified in wanting to return instead of getting a starting job (if money offered was equal).
Bulls traded for Capela. Accidentally released his jersey on their website
Bucks should look to the other former Phoenix player, Jalen Smith who is 12 years younger than McGee and looked decent for the Suns and Indiana last season
Lakers first loss June 28
Kyrie Irving did not sign $6 million contract with Lakers
Lakers 2nd loss, June 29
Westbrook opts in 47 million
Lakers 3rd loss, June 30
Monk signs with Kings?
Lakers have one loss per day
Loss after loss
Keep em coming
You’ve lost your mind.
I really think Sillivan might be a schizo. I worry about him lol
Question: If the Lakers buyout/stretch Westbrook’s contract, would they have part of the 47 million to sign free agents?
They’d still be over the cap, so they wouldn’t create any cap room. But they’d have more flexibility to use the full ($10.5MM) mid-level or do sign-and-trades.
Thanks. But why would the MLE rise?
A team that uses more than the taxpayer portion of the MLE becomes hard-capped for the season. As things stand, the Lakers’ team salary will be above that hard cap (projected to be about $156.9MM), so the full MLE isn’t available to them. With Westbrook stretched, they’d be in better position to stay below a hard cap.
Thanks again! I would like to understand the CBA better. I’ll get there!