The NBA playoffs are in full swing now, and that has nothing to do with the Los Angeles Lakers. For the Lakers, it doesn't matter who the champion dies this season, what matters is how to prepare for next season. This offseason, the Lakers have a number of player contracts expired, including Anthony, Howard, Bradley, Bezmore, Ariza and Munch. Among the players whose contracts expired, the only player whose value has soared is Munch. Munch has only made $1.79 million a year this season, but the new contract is certainly much more than that.
In the regular season this season, Munch averaged 13.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game, shooting 47.3% from the field, shooting 39.1% from three-point range, and averaging 2.3 three-pointers per game, the overall performance was much better than before, and has become the most stable outside shooter in the Los Angeles Lakers. Last offseason, there were very few players interested in Munch, and in the end, only the Lakers gave a formal contract. And this season, even if the Lakers' record is far less than expected, Munch's performance is indeed impeccable. Previously, the US media reported that in addition to the Lakers, there are at least four teams interested in Munch in the offseason. Today, the US media exposed the estimated annual salary of Munch's new contract.
According to the US media HoopsHype, a number of league team management sources expect Lakers guard Malik Munch to sign a contract with an average annual salary of $6-10 million this offseason. That's a number that's several times higher than this season's 1.79 million. One league executive said: "Munch has been good this season. I was surprised last offseason that he signed a base salary contract. I thought he should have signed a bigger contract than that. If Munch is on a good team, his scoring and shooting ability will be very important. ”
Judging by Munch's performance this season, the annual salary of 6-10 million is still very worthwhile. Munch's shooting ability is excellent, but his defensive ability is still not excellent, which is why he did not get a higher contract. In addition, Munch has not been able to prove his level in the playoffs. If the Lakers can play in the playoffs this year, and Munch can still maintain the regular season level in the playoffs, then he will attract the favor of many playoff teams, and the annual salary will naturally be higher. However, in the offseason, it is still possible that there will be teams that will pay Munch more than this range, after all, local teams like the Knicks are also Munch's potential suitors.
With Munch's performance this season, if Munch's annual salary is 6-10 million, the Lakers management still has to work hard to keep him, because the Lakers do need a good shooter. However, the Los Angeles Lakers in the offseason may still usher in some major changes, and there may even be a big deal, and Munch's contract extension is probably decided after the team determines the direction of the new season. Although Munch is no longer worried about leaving home, judging from previous interviews, he himself still prefers to stay with the Los Angeles Lakers. I believe that many Lakers fans also expect him to stay.
Do you think Munch's new contract averages $6-10 million?