Malik Monk has emerged as one of the more interesting names in the Sacramento Kings’ trade picture, even if the buzz around him has been quieter than the chatter surrounding Domantas Sabonis and Zach LaVine.
According to ESPN’s Anthony Slater, Sacramento has been exploring ways to create more room for its long-term pieces, and that includes viewing Keegan Murray as part of the team’s future. General manager Scott Perry has also tried to move Monk, Sabonis and LaVine, but he has not liked the returns that have been offered.
That reluctance matters. The Kings are clearly poking around, but they are not looking to give away value just to make a deal happen. Monk, in particular, is a tough piece to price because he gives Sacramento real production off the bench.
The 28-year-old is the Kings’ most dependable reserve scorer and shooter. He has averaged 15 points while shooting 35.6% from three on 5.9 attempts per game. He also finished second in Sixth-Man of the Year voting in 2023-24, losing to Naz Reid by 10 points in what was a historically close race, with Reid earning two more first-place ballots.
Monk’s appeal is obvious. He plays with pace, shoots it quickly and can punish defenses as a catch-and-shoot threat. In his season-high 32-point game against the Brooklyn Nets on March 22, six of his seven made threes came off catch-and-shoot looks.
That kind of microwave scoring can help plenty of teams. Still, Perry does not appear eager to dump Monk for pennies just to move money around.
Monk’s contract is also part of the equation. He has $41 million left over the next two seasons, including a $21 million player option that he will likely pick up.
Sacramento’s interest in reshaping the roster is not new. Last offseason, the Kings tried to trade for Jonathan Kuminga while he and the Golden State Warriors were not on the same page about an extension. The sides spent an extended stretch negotiating but never found common ground on pick protections.
The Kings’ offer in those talks reportedly included a rotation player, likely Monk, along with a protected first-round pick. Golden State wanted the pick unprotected, and the fact that the player was being sent to a division rival may have also weighed on the Warriors’ thinking.
For now, Monk remains in Sacramento, and despite the trade chatter, he is still the team’s best bench player. That gives the Kings another reason to think carefully before pulling the trigger on any deal.
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