The Los Angeles Lakers got a lot of criticism for signing plenty of veterans during the offseason. But people seem to overlook that they also brought in a couple of young guns in Kendrick Nunn and Malik Monk.
Monk was a lottery pick not so long ago. And while he struggled to establish himself in the NBA and had some issues off the court as well, he’s coming off a career-best season and is only 23 years old.
That’s why he’s looking forward to playing next to the likes of LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Russell Westbrook, as he believes that he’ll finally get the open shots he needs to prove his worth in the league:
“It will open everything up for me. A lot more easier shots, a lot more uncontested shots, a lot more drives where I can get downhill because LeBron, AD, and Russ are going to make the floor more spaced out for all of us,” Monk told Jacob Rude of Silver Screen & Roll.
The former Charlotte Hornets player is looking forward to the opportunity to play next to the Lakers’ veterans and soak in as much as he can:
“I just try to be the best I can in every little aspect of the game, and I think I bring a lot to the table here as well with all the greats here, man,” Monk said. “LeBron, AD, Russ, Carmelo (Anthony), Dwight (Howard), everybody man. Everybody. I can feed off them and I think I can learn a lot from them. So I bring excitement, just like Westbrook, to the game. Plus shooting.” I’m just thankful I have the opportunity to be here with all these greats and this amazing organization. I think I’ll get everything out of it.”
While Malik Monk isn’t expected to have a big role on such a deep team, he might as well become one of their X-Factors coming off the bench. The talent is there, and perhaps all he needed was a change of scenery to show it.
