Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles Lakers guard Malik Monk continues to impress his teammates after the team’s first preseason game.
The Los Angeles Lakers made a lot of offseason acquisitions, and the new bunch continues to grow together. With one preseason game under the team’s belt, All-star big man Anthony Davis had high praise for one of his newest teammates.
Davis is still in disbelief the Lakers were able to sign someone with Monk’s talent for as cheap as they did, adding him to a loaded roster.
Anthony Davis praised Malik Monk after his first preseason game
The 23-year-old Monk joined the team this summer on a one-year, $1.7 million deal. In his Lakers debut, Sunday’s preseason game against the Brooklyn Nets, Monk scored 15 points, shooting 6-of-12 from the field and 3-of-6 from 3. All within 21 minutes off the bench.
Monk, who was the No. 11 overall pick by the Charlotte Hornets in the 2017 NBA Draft, has yet to live up to his potential as a lottery pick. Showing his talent in flashes, Monk has had a few big scoring games, recording a 36-point career-high in a game last season. Last year was Monk’s best season of his young career. Appearing in 42 games off the bench for Charlotte, he averaged 11.7 points in 20.9 minutes and shot 40 percent from 3.
His ability as a shooter will be crucial in him earning playing time on a deep Los Angeles roster. The Lakers have sorely needed 3-point threats to accompany their stars of Davis, LeBron James, and now Russell Westbrook. If Monk is to contribute to another possible Lakers championship, he will need to continue to impress teammates amongst others.