The Milwaukee Bucks are on the hunt for more scoring punch off the bench, and one name that’s reportedly caught their attention is Kings guard Malik Monk. On paper, it’s easy to see the appeal.
Monk brings microwave scoring ability, the kind of offensive firepower that can swing a game in a matter of minutes. He’s a more natural scorer and creator than Kyle Kuzma, and when he’s locked in, he can light up a scoreboard with the best of them.
But if the Bucks are looking for a steady hand-someone to smooth out the inconsistency that’s plagued their second unit-they might want to think twice.
Let’s start with what Monk brings to the table. Despite a dip in playing time under new head coach Doug Christie, Monk has remained a productive piece in Sacramento’s rotation.
He’s averaging 12.1 points, 2.4 assists, and two rebounds per game. While those numbers are down from last season, his efficiency has actually improved-especially from beyond the arc, where he’s shooting a career-best 41.3%.
That kind of spacing and shot-making could be a real asset for a Bucks team that thrives when the floor opens up for Giannis Antetokounmpo.
But here’s the flip side: Monk’s production comes in waves. He’s the kind of player who can go for 20+ on any given night-and he’s done that seven times this season-but he’s also failed to reach double digits in 15 of his 36 games. That volatility is part of the Monk experience, and it’s something Kings fans know all too well.
January has been a microcosm of that inconsistency. Monk started the month with a string of DNPs, then came back and dropped a season-high 26 points in just his third game back.
Since then, it’s been a mixed bag-three games with two or fewer made field goals, four games with six or more. When he’s on, he’s electric.
When he’s not, he can disappear.
That kind of unpredictability should give Milwaukee pause-especially if the idea is to replace Kuzma with a more reliable option. Kuzma has had his own share of ups and downs since Giannis returned to the lineup late last month.
In 11 games, he’s posted scoring totals of 6, 5, 3, and 2 points-but in the other seven, he’s averaged 13.6 points, albeit with inconsistent shooting. He’s not the shooter Monk is, but he brings more size, better defense, and a physical presence the Bucks can use.
From a roster-building standpoint, Milwaukee doesn’t necessarily have to send Kuzma out in a potential Monk deal. They could look to move Bobby Portis and a smaller contract to make the money work. But if they’re trying to clean up the rotation and cut down on game-to-game variance, swapping one streaky scorer for another doesn’t solve much.
And there’s another wrinkle: if Kevin Porter Jr. is also expected to play a key role off the bench, adding Monk to that mix might only add more unpredictability. Porter’s talent is undeniable, but his role and consistency remain question marks. Pairing him with another high-variance player could make the Bucks' second unit even harder to trust.
All things considered, Monk’s upside is real-and on the right night, he can absolutely swing a playoff game. But Milwaukee isn’t just looking for firepower.
They’re looking for dependability, balance, and the kind of complementary piece who can help stabilize things when the stars sit. Right now, Monk doesn’t quite fit that mold.
If the Bucks want to roll the dice, Monk could be a fun gamble. But if they’re trying to steady the ship, they might want to keep looking.