Lakers Expected to Lose LeBron James Favorite to Eastern Conference Rival

The Los Angeles Lakers can’t lose LeBron James at this point. He will enter free agency in 2023. The Lakers got LeBron for a reason. He helped them win a championship inside the NBA bubble. LeBron is playing his best basketball, but to be honest, some analysts have predicted his departure from LA. Guess what… LeBron may not be the only player to leave the Lakers.

Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report says the Lakers may soon lose one of the better teammates LeBron had last season. According to him, Malik Monk will leave the Lakers and sign a deal with the Detroit Pistons.

“L.A.’s minimum investment in Malik Monk was a smashing success,” Buckley wrote. “Frankly, it went too well for anyone hoping he’d run it back with the Purple and Gold next season. … Given the priority placed on perimeter shooting, Monk’s three-ball and ignitable scoring should fetch him a deal richer than what the Lakers can pay. Prediction: Monk signs with the Detroit Pistons.”

Rob Pelinka signed Monk for a reason. He had great plans for the player and Monk delivered great numbers. He was averaging 13.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists while going 47.3% from the floor, 39.1% from beyond the arc, and 79.5% from the free-throw line. Monk would love to stay with the team, but the front office may change his future.

Lakers to lose one of the better teammates LeBron James has, analysts predict contract issues

Sean Deveney of Heavy reported that Monk will probably look for a bigger deal in the offseason.

“Monk figures to be a mid-level exception player, at worst, on the open market and could fetch a deal in the three-year, $32 million (or four year, $45 million) range, according to sources around the league,” Deveney reported. “He could make some of that back by signing with the Lakers the following summer when the Lakers can pay him a mid-level deal themselves, but it would cost Monk up-front money and put him at enormous injury risk.”

Lebron has nothing but words of praise for Monk. He and Jason Kidd watched Monk win games with the Hornets. King James spotted his true potential and they could finally play on the same team together.