The Sacramento Kings are officially open for business, and one of their most intriguing trade chips is now on the table. According to a report from NBA insider Chris Haynes, the Kings are making guard Malik Monk available in trade talks-a move that signals the front office is ready to shake things up as the team continues to struggle through a rough start to the season.
Monk, who turns 28 in February, has been a key contributor since arriving in Sacramento back in 2022. Over his 238 games with the Kings, he's averaged 15.0 points, 4.6 assists, and 3.0 rebounds in just over 26 minutes per game.
He’s been a spark plug off the bench, known for his microwave scoring ability and underrated playmaking. His shooting splits-44.3% from the field, 35.0% from three, and 85.9% from the line-underscore his efficiency, and it’s no coincidence he finished second in Sixth Man of the Year voting in 2024.
But this season has taken a sharp turn for both Monk and the Kings. Sitting at 7-22, Sacramento has been forced to reevaluate its rotation under head coach Doug Christie.
The backcourt has become increasingly crowded, and Monk has found himself on the outside looking in. He’s logged just five minutes across the team’s last three games and was a healthy scratch in two of them.
That’s not necessarily a knock on Monk-it’s more a reflection of how the Kings are trying to retool on the fly. Guards like Russell Westbrook, Dennis Schröder, Keon Ellis, and rookie Nique Clifford have seen their roles expand, while DeMar DeRozan has also been sliding into the two-guard spot in a bigger lineup that features Maxime Raynaud and Precious Achiuwa up front. It’s a rotation that’s still searching for answers, but one that’s clearly prioritizing different skill sets and possibly a younger direction.
Monk’s contract situation adds another layer of intrigue. He’s making about $18.8 million this season, with two more years remaining: a guaranteed $20.2 million in 2026-27 and a $21.6 million player option for 2027-28. That’s a manageable deal for a player with his scoring punch and versatility, especially for a contender looking to bolster its bench or add a dynamic secondary creator.
While it’s unclear exactly what Sacramento is seeking in return, the broader picture is coming into focus. The Kings are reportedly looking to get younger and more athletic, and Monk’s availability aligns with that strategy. Veterans like DeRozan and Zach LaVine are also considered trade candidates, though LaVine’s max contract presents a far more complicated path to a deal.
For Monk, a change of scenery might be exactly what he needs to recapture the form that made him one of the league’s most dangerous sixth men just a season ago. And for the Kings, moving him could be part of a larger reset-one that aims to retool the roster around Keegan Murray and Clifford, the two players the team reportedly views as untouchable.
The trade deadline is still weeks away, but the Kings are wasting no time signaling their intentions. Sacramento’s front office is clearly open to making moves, and Monk’s name is now officially in the mix. Let the calls begin.