On April 12, 2022, the Los Angeles Lakers ushered in the season summary press conference. For the Lakers, this season is undoubtedly a very, very failure. Sitting on the Big Three, they didn't even make it to the playoffs. Lakers head coach Vogel was also dismissed. But for some of the Lakers' players, they've been successful this season. Among the Lakers' players, the biggest improvement this season is Malik Munch, and Munch's contract will expire at the end of the season.
After today's wrap-up press conference, Munch posted on his social media: "The fifth year of his career has become history! It's not going as I thought, but it's 100 times better than last year! Lakers, thank you for giving me a chance not to change! The best is yet to come. ”
Last offseason, Munch, who had just finished his rookie contract, neither received a contract extension from his old club nor was he popular in the free agency market. Until the Lakers handed him an olive branch. And Munch also cherished this last chance, and even played a performance that surprised Lakers fans. This season, Munch averaged 13.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 0.8 steals per game, shooting 47.3% from the field and 39.1% from three-point range. Whether it is a starter or a substitute, Munch can always quickly find rhythm in the game, and his performance is getting better and better, and he is even called the new version of the knife guard by many fans. As a role player, Munch has done his best. Under Vogel, Munch ushered in a turning point in his career. It is precisely for this reason that after the outside world began to spread that Vogel was going to leave class, Munch still supported Vogel in the interview and expressed his gratitude to him many times.
Munch is only earning $1.79 million a year this season, but his performances are worth more. And with the expiration of the contract, Munch should receive a lot of contracts during the offseason. As Munch said, he's in a 100-fold better position now than he was last year. For Lakers management, the difficulty of renewing Munch's contract has also risen a lot. At present, the Lakers have not been able to offer a too good contract to Munch, and can only wait for the offseason to clear the space first.
Judging from Munch's speech, he should still be inclined to stay with the Lakers, after all, the Lakers gave him the opportunity to regain his life. But professional players will not go through with money, and his last words, "The last opportunity has not yet come", may also imply that he will have a better contract. Whether Munch will eventually go or stay depends on the level of the Lakers' management. Do you want Munch to stay or leave?