NBA Trade Deadline 2020: 5 young players who need a fresh start

4. Changing monasteries

Malik Monk was supposed to storm into the NBA as a microwave scoring guard, filling in as the heir apparent to the Lou Williams’s, Ben Gordon’s and Jamal Crawford’s before him. While he demonstrates his inane ability to get buckets, his exhibits are more pop-up show than brick and mortar.

Much of this can be attributed to Monk receiving sporadic playing time. But when he does get extended opportunities, he usually produces — like his 31, five and five in 34 minutes against the Bucks on Jan. 24 or 20 points in 22 minutes in the game before against the Magic.

Devonte Graham’s surprise breakout pushed Monk down the depth chart. But the fact he’s playing about the same minutes as the extreme mediocrity that is Dwayne Bacon, implies there could be unseen reasons why Monk sees sparing time on the court.

The Lakers could use some juice in their backcourt scoring. Monk probably needs some guidance. And who better to guide him than LeBron James. James will set him up and put him in all the right places to succeed. Getting to be a tertiary option opposite James and Anthony Davis would lead to gobs of open looks every game. Plus, he pairs seamlessly with the pass-first Rajon Rondo or the defense-first Avery Bradley.

Monk flourished on a big stage in college, perhaps getting to play for a marquee franchise in front of a packed house again will be what he needs to consistently raise his game on a nightly basis. Speaking of big stages…