Malik Monk may be sliding into the background in Sacramento’s 2026-27 conversation, but Matt George thinks the Kings would be making a mistake if they treat him like an expendable piece.
With Scott Perry now running the front office and rookie Darius Acuff Jr. projected to step in as a starting guard, Monk has been cast by some as a player who no longer fits where the franchise is headed. George pushed back on that idea on the latest edition of Sactown Sports’ The Matt George Podcast.
“Malik Monk is still such a good player, and I don’t understand why it’s felt like since De’Aaron Fox was traded that Monk has been viewed as part of Sacramento’s decline,” George said.
The case for Monk starts with what he has already shown he can do. His production has bounced around, but the skill set has not disappeared.
In 2023-24, he averaged 15.4 points and 5.1 assists per game. He followed that with career highs of 17.2 points and 5.6 assists the next season, while shooting 32.5% from three.
Last season, his numbers fell to 12.5 points and 3.0 assists per game, though he hit a career-best 39.5% from beyond the arc while playing just 22 minutes a night, nearly ten fewer than in 2024-25.
George’s point is that the dip in counting stats should not erase Monk’s value.
“Malik is here, and he’s still incredibly valuable, and he still provides something that you desperately need, which is ball handling, creation, and three-point shooting,” George said.
That matters even more with Acuff expected to handle the lead-guard duties. George does not want Monk forced into a job that doesn’t fit him. Instead, he sees him as a secondary creator who can help Acuff or run the second unit.
“Malik Monk is really good in the pick and roll,” George said. “As a secondary ball handler and a creator, someone to come off the bench, back up Darius Acuff Jr., he can even play next to Darius Acuff Jr. That’s what makes Malik Monk so special.”
That was the version of Monk Sacramento leaned on during the Beam Team run. He proved he could supply real playmaking without needing to monopolize the offense, and his assist numbers over the last two seasons backed that up.
George thinks the Kings should stop looking at Monk as a player who needs to be replaced and start viewing him as someone whose role still makes sense.
“Why can he not still be that? What has Malik Monk shown us at all to suggest that has changed?”
George asked. “Nothing.
The circumstances of the Kings have changed; the guy leading the front office has changed. Malik Monk has not changed.”
For George, Monk’s energy, versatility and established offensive value make him one of the clearest rotation decisions on the roster.
“I should not and do not have any questions about Malik,” George said. “Other than is he going to get the opportunity to be himself or not?”
Monk is also entering a season that could matter for his future beyond Sacramento. If things go well enough by next summer, he can decline his $21 million contract for 2027-28 and become a free agent, though that does not appear likely.
Even so, this is a big year for the Kentucky product, and the Kings’ best move may be to use him the way he’s already shown he can be used.
Sacramento is set to open training camp in late September before preseason begins on Monday, October 5th against Luka Doncic and the new-look Los Angeles Lakers at Golden 1 Center. The Kings’ preseason slate also includes games on Thursday, October 8th at the Lakers, Saturday, October 10th at the Golden State Warriors, and Tuesday, October 13th against the Portland Trail Blazers.
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