Dallas Mavericks rumors: Team interested in Malik Monk

The Dallas Mavericks rumors continued pouring out from the moment the regular season ended. Teams in the lottery are already beginning their preparations for next season, including figuring out which players will be back. The Mavs are preparing to face the Utah Jazz in the first round of the playoffs, but that does not mean their front office is not getting a head start on the draft and free agency.

Dallas traded Kristaps Porzingis at the deadline to improve their financial flexibility. They want to build a title contender around Luka Doncic, and fans can expect them to be searching for a second star in the trade market this summer.

The Mavericks will not just be interested in adding a star. They want to improve their roster, and Malik Monk is a free agent that interests the team if they can create enough cap space, according to Sean Deveney of Heavy.com. Rumors suggest Dallas has interest, but what would Monk bring to the Mavs?

Rumors: Dallas Mavericks interested in soon-to-be free agent Malik Monk

The Lakers had one of their most disappointing seasons in franchise history, but Monk was a bright spot. The 24-year-old signed a one-year deal worth $1.8 million in the 2021 offseason with the hopes of rebuilding his value as a role player on a contending team. Monk worked his way into a key starter and one of LA’s most consistent contributors by the end of the year. He dropped 41 points in the Lakers regular season finale against the Nuggets.

Monk averaged 13.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 0.8 steals in 28.1 minutes per game this season while shooting 47.3 percent from the field, 39.1 percent on his threes, and 79.5 percent from the foul line. The 6'3 wing was a lottery pick back in 2017, and he appears to be finally realizing his potential. Over the final 48 games of this season, Monk averaged more than 16 points per contest and made north of 40 percent from 3-point range.

The Mavericks would love to add another wing that can shoot, handle the ball, make plays, and score. If the team trades Tim Hardaway Jr. or loses Jalen Brunson in free agency, they will be searching for another offensive weapon next to superstar Luka Doncic. Monk is a proven shooter and scorer that continues to improve his playmaking ability.

The Dallas Mavericks are not projected to have the cap space to sign Malik Monk this summer, so they would have to acquire him via a sign-and-trade. That type of move seems unlikely unless the Lakers decide to blow up their roster, but stranger things have happened in an NBA offseason.

Monk will be looking for a new home as the Lakers are limited to paying him just $6.2 million next season because they do not have his Bird Rights. Expect the 24-year-old wing to command more money on the open market and sign with another team this offseason.

Expect plenty of rumors, especially as the offseason approaches, and fans can stay tuned to The Smoking Cuban for all the latest on the Dallas Mavericks.