Charlotte Hornets: 4 players who likely won’t be back next season
By Jason Huber
After four seasons, it’s time for the Malik Monk experience to come to an end.
As I wrote about in a previous piece, it’s time for the Charlotte Hornets to move on from the Malik Monk. Monk will likely receive a one-year, $7 million qualifying offer from Charlotte but the chances he accepts that are slim.
During Wednesday’s end-of-season media availability, Monk told reporters he would love to stay in Charlotte but he also wants to feel “wanted.”
Monk has gone through a lot of ups and downs during his time in Charlotte. Drafted 11th overall in the 2017 draft, it seems that anytime he finally begins to break out, something happens. A drug suspension ended his 2019-20, he got COVID before the 2020-21 season and then suffered an ankle sprain in the final month of this season.
Charlotte already has guard Terry Rozier and LaMelo Ball on the roster and having to likely pay close to $10 million per year for Monk just doesn’t seem like it’ll be worth the money.
One way or another, Monk will be a restricted free agent and it’ll be in the Hornets’ hands on whether to match an offer for him. The New York Knicks are a team that needs a guard upgrade and have been interested in Monk for quite some time.
Don’t be surprised if Monk is donning a new uniform in 2022.