MALIK MONK IS STAYING!!!!
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reports that Monk will re-sign with the Sacramento Kings for the 4-year, $78 million deal that was the maximum the Kings could offer. Monk will have a player option as well.
ESPN Sources: Free agent G Malik Monk intends to sign a four-year, $78 million deal — including a player option — to return to the Sacramento Kings. Monk had career-bests of 15 points and five assists on his way to the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year runner-up. pic.twitter.com/J8KuOwPl0H
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) June 21, 2024
This is huge for the Kings. There was concern that another team would outbid the Kings, but Monk’s camp apparently didn’t like the landscape and moved quickly to lock in with Sacramento. This is huge, not just for next season and for Sacramento to have clarity entering free ageny, but also having clarity of Monk’s intentions before the NBA Draft next week.
Monk cannot officially sign his new deal until the moratorium lifts on July 6th.
This is awesome, awesome news. I am so glad Monk will be staying in Sacramento for years to come.
Hey, did you know “Malik” means King in Arabic?
Hallelujah!!!!!!!!
Amazing Grace!!!!!
Can we now cross undersized guards off our draft list?
“cross” I see what you did there.
Ha. Yes please.
This is great and at a good number. The Kings don’t need stars now. They need a wing and a 4 who can play like Celtics all did- defend multiple positions- able to shoot and put ball on floor. Or at least first two.
Monte just has to find the right couple
guys for this team. The right fit.
MM’s job just got a lot easier.
Go find a 4 to fit next to Domas and some rotational wings and let’s go.
How many picks will it take to go get Lauri Markannen?
Could we absorb John Collins to grease the wheels?
Collins/Markannen for Huerter, Barnes, Sasha and Duarte.
Throw in #13 and a lotto protected 1st after the Hawks and call it good?
You’re not getting Lauri without giving up Keegan. And maybe Ellis. Plus picks. See Ainge, Danny,
in dictionary- Ainge, Danny is listed under unrealistic jerk
The Kings are not getting Lauri Markannen, imo.
And like RobHessing points out, the Kings wouldn’t even want him at any price acceptable to Danny Ainge.
Ainge absolutely would not go for that, he wouldn’t even pick up the phone as far as I’m concerned unless it would be to laugh at the offer.
Realistically I think if we were to try and get Lauri we have to give up Keegan and at the very least two FRPs.
If we were to do that I say we might as well get Lauri, Collins & Clarkson, We’d probably have to offer 3-4 FRPs while sending out Huerter, Sasha, Barnes, Davion.
Duarte is a deal breaker.
Alright, alright, fine Danny! We’ll include Duarte too, even though we’d “hate” to him go, but you’ll be very “impressed” with him.
Ainge wouldn’t trade Lari for anything less than Keegan and 13 or Fox .
That’s some pretty good melatonin you’re taking! Sweet dreams!
Agree. They don’t need Ingram. Just two dudes that fit those roles. Josh Hart. Naz Reed types. Maybe even not as good.
Lauri is a dream. I’d love to hear people’s opinion of Kyle Kuzma. I think he could be better than he currently is in the right situation. It also seems like Jerami Grant might want to stay in Portland. Who are some younger 4s the Kings should be targeting?
Bobby. Portis.
Oops – he’s not “younger.”
What would you be willing to give up for Kuzma, if you think the Kings should target him?
Here’s my thing with Kuzma. He had a chance to sign here last season, and he chose Washington. He had a chance to be traded to Dallas, and he declined the opportunity. I think that he now owns a string of coffee shops in and around DC. I think that he likes where he is. He has his ring already, and now he’s just living the dream of getting paid a crap ton of money to play basketball. I have my doubts that the competitive fire burns all that hot inside of him.
I could be 100% wrong about all of this, but Kuzma just gives me those non-serious vibes. The roster needs a good dose of nasty, and I think that Kyle Kuzma is the farthest thing from that.
this is all true. But he has to be guarded and this allows Keon to play more
Right now, opponents play off of Keon and HB and focus on just 3 guys.
We definitely need a guy that can create on his own. I consider Kuzma to be a viable option in that regard, but he would be on the lower end of my list. I’d rather have a guy like Bobby Portis, who creates less but has a nasty streak. Heck, I might prefer Wiggins and hope for a renaissance under Brown. Jerami Grant would be at or near the top of my list. John Collins would merit respect on the corner threes and would add length on D.
I’d love Wiggins!
Wiggins and Moody would be great to get as a package. Send them Huerter and Davion.
We cannot pretend Davion has that much value.
But pretending is fun.
Davion is going to salary filler at best in a deal.
I think you just described the entire Kings roster excepts for Sabonis and Ellis?
monk is a fun player but he’s not a serious player.
I think that Monk takes winning & losing seriously, but his defense is less than adequate.
Have to match salary- any combo of HB, Huerter (but less so), Davion, Duarte and Sasha (please be so on the last 2) and the #13 but only if #26 comes back. Future picks? maybe but just one. and that one only.
Washington could get a second lottery pick this year to accelerate their re-build. No other team will offer that to them. and they get away from Kuzma but take back 2 years of Barnes
Kuzma’s value diminishes each year.
Huerter, 13 and a future first might get it done. Honestly could be worth it! Moody and Wiggins would both make the Kings better now! It might depend on how GS values Huerter. I like Huerter, but Keon needs minutes to develop and Huerter also deserves those minutes! If we do nothing, I like our guards. Injuries at the position definitely hurt late. Draft day will be fun!
Lauri IS a dream. Great fit. High cost if even possible.
Kuzma- still youngish, can get hot, shoots too much, thinks he is a star, plays little defense but teams have to guard him unlike HB. This allows Kings to play Keon who teams lay off of and defense improves. Kuzma can go get a bucket- a talent that the Kings lacked last year. Clock going down- give to Hueter, to Keon, to HB and even to Keegan or DS–no !
Kuzma allow Kings to start Keon, to get a bucket late in the clock and makes other teams guard at least 4 players. I am not sure if he can curtail his “I need to shoot it” gene. But does help the team. Washington wants a second lottery pick and may be delighted with any of the prospective lottery picks that fall to 13. and they have #26.
Grant has never played on a team and made them better. And the cost for him is high
Both of those are guys you’d have to be really confident in embracing a new role. Or, rather, re-embracing an old role. Both of them should be working with a USG closer to 18% or so. Kuzma, especially, needs to stop trying to “create his own shot” so much.
I like either John Collins or Kuzma. I prefer Collins. I think he is a better fit. Kuz can score but Collins is a better rebounder, rim protector(which we really need) and shoots the 3 better. We can IMO get Collins without using our #13 draft pick.
Agree on Collins . Not a big fan but would fit team needs much better and likely to be better playing with Domas .
This 100%. Collins> Kuzma all day
#13?!?
Collins isn’t the worst fit but he I don’t think he is much more than an above- average NBA player. Regardless of what one thinks of his talent or skills or fit in Sac, Collins is not in Utah’s future plans and he costs $25M/yr for the next 2 years, he should be available for a couple of 2nds. UTA got him from for a 36yr old Rudy Gay and a 2nd round pick. IMO, using the #13 on Collins is close to GM malpractice.
With that said, I’d much rather have Collins over Kuzma.
I agree. Much better fit in what he can do to help the Kings and IMO won’t cost us the #13 pick.
The Kings have enough G’s that drafting a G never made sense to me & it really wouldn’t make sense now.
Be interesting to see how the mock drafts change now.
yep.
The signing changes the draft. and the signing occurred before the draft which really changes it.
This means Kings should look to trade the pick (no need to “replace” Monk which was impossible anyway) or keep it and get size. (and not another guard)
Kings still need to make a move. The all-in moves are unlikely- cannot get a trade partner for that type of player it would be dumb to go all in for KD for example(this is not a serious trade but one used for an example). The next level of Bridges or Markenon is unlikely. So, the Kings are left with a third level trade (like Mavs and PJ+ Gafford). The least “expensive” players in this level are LaVine and Kuzma. Kings need upgrade at the 4 spot. Players like Collins (either one), J. Smith are just not needle movers for me.at least as an initial move.
Getting Monk relieves the pressure and clarifies the draft. Get size- Ware, Filipowski, TDS, Holmes. Grabbing any one of them at #13 is a “reach”. Is it possible to leverage the desire from others for the player that drops to #13- Carter, Holland or Dillingham, make a trade and still get the player with size? This requires multi-scenario pre-planning and quick thinking. For example, Holland (although Holland is the one guy I might want to keep at #13 even though he is a year away from being a year away), the NYK covet him and have 24- and 25.
DaRon Holmes looks enticing. He has a promise from Denver but at #28. Who picks between 13 and 28? Washington, NYK amongst others.
Kings do have expendable assets- HB, Huerter, Duarte, Sasah, Davion and future- way future picks I do think this years #13 is very valuable- Kings should not pick this high for years and next years is gone.
Kings have some options for free agents- get size and 3+D. Derrick Jones and O’Neil are unlikely but N. Marshall? J. Smith (not as big move but as a guess. and a hope)
Salaries are out pacing (pardon the pun coming) the rising salary cap. The deal Siakem signed with Indy is unbelievable. I am not sure why he would not commit to resigning here but that price would have been damaging.
The King of Kings
“Hey, did you know “Malik” means King in Arabic?”
Yes. Mark Jones repeated this every game he called last season. (I’m hopeful we get Kyle Draper calling all the games instead!)
Now on to acquiring Brandon Ingram!!
Don’t think we have the assets. Seems like NO wants players as opposed to picks. Unless they happen to be high on KH and HB.
It’s all about the market. I mean they’ve put themselves into a piston where they will have to move him or risk losing him for nothing. The knowledge that he expects a superman to resign will lower the asking price.
With that being said, look around and see who else would want Ingram on a super.ax and what they’d be willing to give up.
That’s what we would have to beat in our offer.
they wanted Sengun from Rockets- Rafeal Stone cackled like and Ainge over that one.
NOP think they are in a position of strength, but they are in a position of weakness- don’t want to pay BI and think he does not fit with that out of shape always injured guy.
Ingram would be great but expects 40 million a year to play less than 60 games per over 8 seasons . Pelicans have no interest in more of the same .
Jones has a checklist that he’s irrationally compelled to plow through over the course of each broadcast.
“Do you know what NBA stands for?”
“Oh, Mark. Please don’t say it ag…”
“Never Broke Again! SUCKLE AT THE TEAT OF MY GENIUS!”
For the life of me, I still don’t understand “First name: DeAaron, last name: HIM”.
I do love “This guy is hotter than fish grease!”
That and using big words followed by a synonym wherever possible to make an exclamatory point.
Made even better by one of the words not actually being a synonym. I’m grinding my teeth just thinking about it.
But I was told that we needed to expect him to sign for 25-30 a year and freak out over every social media post available…
Very similar to Holmes situation…as a fan base we overvalue our own guys. Let’s hope this plays out better than how that situation ended. Good news tho…fun player to watch and easy to root for.
My guess is there were higher offers available but not substantially higher enough to leave the ideal situation he’s in on this team.
Possible for sure. But that was the whole point. What the Kings could offer was pretty in line with what he might get on market. Paying 25 for a guy that has never proven to be a starter is not a move most teams were going to make.
I hear you but Holmes is not Monk. Monk brings shooting, play-making, killer instinct, dawg attitude, leadership, a guy that checks in and can instantly catch fire. Does he have some flaws? Sure. But no signing by Monte McNair will come even close to the impact Malik has.
He just turned 26. He hasn’t even hit his prime. People wanted to sign bigger names @ more $ and we’d get much less than a Malik Monk.
If you think I’m comparing Monk or Holmes as players you are missing the point. Discussion around their likelihood to return and the message boards reactions were almost exactly the same.
Yeah i said this everywhere, no one was throwing a crazy bag at monk
If he agrees to sign an extension for that amount then IMO we should go after him.
But Richaun Holmes literally did get traded for a rim protecting big on the Fox/Sabonis timeline, who helped turn around his team’s defense… Just not by the Kings.
EVERYBODY GET IN HERE!!!!
This is huge and provides the Kings with flexibitly going into the draft, free agency and trade market. Malik gets a huge standing ovation at first opportunity!!!
Lots of people guessed otherwise. I’m sure they’re all glad they were wrong.
As for me, I’m incredibly relieved.
Without Monk, the Kings front office would have had to work their asses off just so that the team wouldn’t be significantly worse than the last two years.
Now hopefully with a little bit of juggling, the Kings can take another step up.
You nailed it. Resigning Monk means the Kings can spend this offseason building a better team, rather than desperately trying to cover their losses.
The Kings just acquired a star in free agency.
LET’S GO! HAPPY MALIK MONK DAY!
Wow!! That’s legitimately great news! He almost certainly would have gotten a bigger offer in free agency so this is huge. Now get a starting forward!
If so he would of tested longer
I think the truth is that none of us knows.
He signed the best deal he was offered . Bet on that and great for the Kings .
It doesn’t seem at all like how you described it.
Re-signing Monk will make the Kings more desirable for free agents to come here. This Monk signing is huge. Kuzma anyone?
Well said. It’s always a positive sign for a franchise when a player is willing to sign for less than his market value just to play there.
The esrly period for incumbent teams is a huge component. Monk waits & maybe he gets a few dollars more or maybe he gets Bonzi’d. He chose the security of the bird in the hand.
History tells us that he and his agent knew what offers would be there and he took the best one .
My perspective is that Monk, not being the lead domino, was going to have to wait and see how the other dominos fell. Paul George, Maxey, Siakam (now signed), OG, DeRozan, Harden. These are the guys that would ultimately shape the free agent marking and spending this summer. Throw in guys like KCP and Klay Thompson and Tyus Jones and Tobias Harris and Nic Claxton, and suddenly the waters get a little murky. Remember, the new rule is that players can only talk with their current team until 7/1, so there is no real (legal) way of knowing what the shopping teams (or a lot of these premiere players) are going to do.
So it becomes a risk / reward thing for players when they are offered a deal by their incumbent teams. Monk had to weigh the upside (another $22m total?) vs. the downside (no chairs when the music stops and signing a 2/$40m or some such deal).
My arse-pulled guess is that Monk weighed the risk vs. the reward, sprinkled in that he likes his current coach, teammates and geography and determined to take $78m of what already works for him.
Not really, he was only negotiating with one team. His agent may have a notion, but he hasn’t been talking with any of them.
His agent knew what was going to be offered by other teams, at least any initial offers. Otherwise, he would be the only agent in the NBA who doesn’t know what teams are willing to offer his prize FA client.
That doesn’t sound right at all.
Or John Collins.
Anyone BUT Kuzma. No thank you.
I hope Malik can severely outplay this contract like he did his last.
I expect the Beam for this!
Malik the Beam!
Agreeing to terms with Monk is a FO
statement by Monte and his staff that the Kings are a serious organization with committed ownership to moving the franchise forward unlike few other signings in the past.
For Monte, Monk’s early commitment to the organization is a coup for the Kings who are too often portrayed as a team stumbling from one decisive issue to the next.
For the primary owner(s) it also sends a message, particularly from Vivek, that they are willing to spend on the NBA team while also taking on the costs and guaranteed contracts of an MLB team, perhaps for only a season or so, but a risk nonetheless to continuing to build the Kings into a contender.
Smartly done. I am waiting with anticipation to what the Kings and Monte do next.
Monk should start. Good on him. Good for the fans and season ticket holders who get to watch Monk do Malick for a good number of years to come.
Well said JP
All great stuff except monk should not start
With you. Ellis should still be the one as a defensive specialist. Monk’s superpower is a spark off the bench in a Ginobili role.
Yeah fox/keon and davion/monk (assuming huerter traded) pairs much better than putting fox/monk and davion/keon
Also the Keon/Monk backcourt still works well when Monk checks in for fox in those early parts of the games. He is one of if not the best 6th man in the league as is. He’s this generations bjax in my opinion
If the other starters were more stout as a group, you could start Monk. As things stand, Ellis is the right fit.
Yep. Just go full Manu with Monk. Bring him in early and often, and have him close when you need the offense (Ellis when you need the D).
I generally agree but here’s my question. What if Devin Carter falls to 13?
I dom’t think we need to worry about that. IMO Monty will use #13 as a trade chip. Example: Huerter, Lyles, Duarte, #13 and 2 seconds for Keldon Johnson and Zach Collins.
my goodness, no
Why? Keldon Johnson started for the Spurs 4 years.He is a stud on offense. Watched highlights he can really drive to the rim. Not afraid of anything. Would be a major bench player for the Kings.
Collins, known as a poor man’s Sabonis would backup Sabonis at the 5. Young very aggressive won’t back down. With Jalen Smith next to hin at PF you have 2 guys off the bench that can replace starters at center and PF and fit right in.
They are nothing alike, in any way (other than they are both bigs). I’m not sure what you meant by that so I assume I’m missing something.
I don’t dislike Johnson but he is also a pretty horrible fit in Sac and doesn’t offer anything the Kings need besides his aggression going to the rim.
I love Jalen Smith as a backup for Domas or even playing next to him if the team needs to go big. He and Fontecchio are the two players I hope the Kings bring in via FA should they be able to move off of Huerter and Barnes.
When I proposed that trade above it was before Monk decided to stay. When comparing Monk with Johnson I was looking for a replacemnt for Malik. I now can turn my attention else wherer. At the time IMO that was a pretty good trade.
Malik staying really makes the path to improving this roster much easier than if we also needed to replace his play-making from the bench. Lets see where MM goes from here.
I don’t mind Zach Collins only out of your hypothetical trade. So you gotta go back to the lab and rework who we trade or what picks we trade. You gave it a try though.
If there is a team that values Carter at 13, trade the pick for wing / stretch 4 help. Or draft Carter if you have deals in your pocket that send Huerter and Mitchell out for wind / stretch 4 help. If neither of those things occur, pass on Carter and draft da Silva or someone that can crack the core rotation this year. Clock is ticking.
I saw a mock that had us taking Tyler Smith. An interesting prospect to be sure, but if there’s going to be a reach, I’d go with Holmes, whose defense is light years better than Smith.
I’m going to keep pushing Holmes for the near future, I simply must.
With you. Smith would be a great pick for Stockton. And I like Smith.
I like Holmes. potentially fits all the needs. But can #13 be leverage in such a way to get a player and to get Holmes later in the draft ( before the promise to Denver at #28.???
I like Holmes too but I do feel like I’m talking myself into the best fit versus the best player available (not that I have any clue as to who the BPA would be anyway).
Tyler Smith and Holmes are near 50/50 for me. It would be a luxury if Monte has a choice of either. I will point out, however, that Tyler’s resume is against grown men in the G-League while Holmes was a man amongst boys at Dayton.
Personally, I still lean towards Holmes.
Carter probably will not drop to #13 but Dillingham or Holland might. Somebody or somebodies will drop. Fact. And another team will covet that guy- let’s say it is Carter- then pre-plan for that, trade get a very good player-starter- and or another pick this year. NYK have 24/25, do they covet Carter or anyone else who drops. ?
yes
Whether or not Monk starts is a non-issue solved with Brown’s handling of substitutions such that two of Fox, Monk, and Sabonis is always on the floor.
If Monk starting is a condition of his resigning with the Kings, he’s going to start.
Good post! I appreciate Vivek forking out the dough for this. I don’t think there’s much risk involved in his decision, though. He’s going to be able to raise ticket prices while selling out 41 nights a year. Barring injuries [knocks on wood], the next four years look to be competitive for this team. How competitive depends on what MM does next.
I understand the optimism and although I share some of it, allow me to give a slightly different take.
This deal was an absolute must (and baseline) to maintain the slim path to improvement. Kudo’s to Monte for pulling it off, but hard to see it as a statement or coup. It shows competence, which is an improvement against former regimes, but I grade the team and FO against their current opponents, not against it’s own past.
In that regard, we kept a core player of a team that missed the play-offs, while on of our conference foes just got Caruso and already took a step forward, while this move allowed us to stand pat.
I won’t even go into the idea that we should be happy that our ownership is willing to do the minimum of what should be expected from ownership. that’s a big meh for me.
And as much as I like Monk (he’s a very likeable person), his playmaking, energy and ability to create his own shot, he is quite far from perfect. His TS% is not great, makes regular boneheaded plays, and is one of our worse perimeter defenders. In other words, a mixed bag. And given the fact that he will resign, the rest of the league probably sees his worth as as such.
The main value of this resigning stems from the fact that the cap situation was such that if we would lose Monk, we wouldn’t have the financial room to easily replace him. Although still a significant signing, it is not ideal if this financial situation is one of the main drivers for making this deal a must for the FO.
Ultimately, for me, this signing is a good step to maintain our status as a fringe play-off, play-in team. And that is not something I can celebrate.
Now, if Monte can add pieces to bring us an extra level up in relation to the rest of the WC, it will be great. That remains to be seen, but this is at least a step that allows for that possibility.
Hope springs eternal. Go Kings!
I’m with you on this- especially holding the Kings to a level of championship contention, not being ok with the Kings simply not being shitty.
The owner paying for a player?, the value of the player, isn’t anything to write home about.
While I’m happy this deal was done there is much more that needs to occur to have a serious title contender, which is what I want.
Enough of the sac fan base being ok with being ok rather than not settling for less then being run like a championship contender.
Winning franchises and markets expect greatness from their organization, so should we. Or at least the effort to be great.
This is a step. Last year they took none. Maybe even a step back. This summer should tell all.
How come RikSmits sucks now… The volumes of negative space is like ketoacidosis
Instead of insulting me, how about coming up with arguments to dispute my post?
Few things are more contradictory than posts whining about negativity.
Yes. This is how it’s always been, when you point out what is wrong- with logic and reason those who can’t handle it get upset over negativity. But it’s not negativity, it’s accurate discussion.
what is the point of a discussion forum where people only want or allow positive statements?
Sorry about that I was being facetious but I forgot that’s not allowed here. I’ll stop commenting.
Oh really? I got your back Rik, hold my Malik Monk jersey.
Resigning MM is huge and vital to this team especially given the CAP.
But let’s not forget, this is currently still the same team from last season. Which is a mediocre team with potential. Negativity turns into positivity once we land a starting 4 and some actual rotational pieces.
Rick made solid and accurate points . You didn’t .
Are you being sarcastic? Otherwise, you seem to have a hard time handling logic and truth.
It’s ok for people to point out what’s not good enough with the Kings.
Well put RS 👌
Very well stated.
“Nice job, Monte!”Way to not fuck it up, Monte!
Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.
yep.
I agree with the sentiment of your post, but…
The way that MM had to go about even retaining a key player on this roster was adept player management. He said the right things to the press about Monk, he re-signed Brown in a timely manner, and he offered Monk the “max” offer the team was capable of. If you really think Monk is just another “mixed-bag” player and doesn’t make an significant impact, then we differ greatly on what we think of the importance of table setters. Due to his elite playmaking Monk was in the 99th percentile in Ast%, and he was in the 95th percentile in Ast/Usage. Domas has to work significantly harder to get good shots at the rim without someone like Monk serving up dimes.
While I understand your point about the team itself not getting better, it was a bit of a feat that MM was able to prevent the Kings from getting worse given the contractual limitations he was dealing with in regards to Monk.
Competency coming from Sac’s FO is something I will always celebrate, regardless of my expectations of the team’s success.
I wonder what conversations were had with Malik about starting and this contract. We all know “roles” are massively important to Coach Brown and him and Malik conflicted on him starting a bit last year (in a good way IMO). Either way I hope Malik gets to start next to Fox at least every now and then just cause I love the dude and I cannot resist the SMF->Kentucky Connection.
They most definitely had those discussions and I think one likely result is Monk’s agent was told there would
be an open competition for the starting job.
Monk is one of the most creative passers on the team, he is relentless going to the rim and is first in the NBA passing off the ball while driving to the basket. Keon has positive starter qualities too. He is a 41% three point shooter, better defense than Monk, a little too reticent to shoot and defers to others a bit too much which is more a factor, in my mind,
of his newness to the starting lineup. He also has some shit bird in him, credit to Mr. Reynolds. The Kings lack that as others have noted in the comments and during game threads.
There will be plenty of minutes for all the guards and hopefully none of those come
from injuries, but we all also know that there will be injuries. Monk and Fox will play minutes together and Keon will slide
to the 3 at times in a small ball game.
In the end, commenters that believe the
better lineup is with Keon starting and Monk being the 6th man make a valid point. The team may be better with Monk in a Ginobbli role. Flexibilty. Monk has said he wants to start but will do what is best for the team. Good job locking up a player with that attitude. It’s a good problem to have.
Monk has had a starter role in Charlotte, it didn’t work out.
First in LA and now is Sacramento, Monk’s game has excelled as the 6th Man for which he was runner up for the award this year. This confirms his usage is best aligned as 6th man.
I don’t believe he needs to be a starter anymore than Jamal Crawford or Terrence Ross were in their heydey.
I also believe that any of the teams that offered competitive contracts (Orlando, Philly) felt the same. If a Detroit or Washington offered more, their lack of playoff aspirations were of no interest, even at an elevated price.
Of course, we just don’t know. But, it’s fun to toss out our own individual theories now and again.
Didn’t he start for the Fakers? I could be wrong. They are not on my time so I don’t know what goes on over there until we kick their asses.
Monk only started one game with Charlotte….
Jamal Crawford was labelled a starter just like Lou Williams but both of them struggled with efficiency coming back from acl injuries .
monk started 30 plus games for LA shot 47 percent overall and 42 percent from 3 . 17 points per game 4 rebounds and 3 assist a game . his usage again ?
Woohoo!
Very fortunate for us. Let’s capitalize on our good fortune and push some chips in Monte!
Rik,
I feel certain you went to bed early tonight and made Malik’s signing a fait accompli.
You are the man!
This was terrific news, wasn’t it? Monk is such a great fit for this fan base and franchise.
Enormously impactful for the franchise. Especially so if Monte can bring in some
length, defense and shooting at the 4, and some legit 2nd team scoring and D.
Hah! I did indeed.
But all credit to Monte and his assistant GM’s De’Aaron and Recee.
Double Espresso this morning Rik. Good work.
Woohoo! And announced before the draft!
The focuses the draft and free agency with days to spare. That can’t be stressed enough. No need for off guards at #13, or anywhere for that matter.
Exactly
#13: Ware or Holmes!
I’m no less than shocked. I 100% underestimated what Monk was after. This is great news for the team at least having a chance to improve this offseason.
And it takes LaVine off the table.
This once again shows that if there are rumors, a deal is unlikely. With Monte most deals come all of a sudden.
I’m calling it now…LaVine for Ingram, because neither team is going to get what they want.
it moves LaVine way off the table unless the Bulls give the Kings a king’s ransom to take him (pun intended). Like a future first.
and it does not change the need for size at the 4 spot.
LV Summer League here I come.
You fellas enjoy the California Classic in Sacto. A standing ovation if Malik shows for one of the games.
I believe it’s at Chase this year. I’m looking forward to its return here, though!
I believe it is at both Golden 1 and Chase this year. “A” and “B” games in different arenas.
Interesting, I heard them talking about the California Classic at Chase on KNBR recently and assumed it was still happening at only one arena. Thanks for the correction!
Built,
I heard an add for tickets for the Golden 1 Center games July 6-9 start at about $46 for all the games played that day. Might be a nice way to slake the Basketball shakes. The LVSL games are just so cool in the way former
and current players are casually stopping and talking to fans and for the most part are very accessible. It’s in the Summer Leagues culture.
What I really enjoy is sitting with fans from other teams and listening to them and getting their read and takes on other teams players, their team’s strengths and weaknesses. It truly is a great mix of fans and everybody seems to have a relaxed opinion. I have met people from
all over the country who are really funny, others are gamblers, others are junkies like me, others are really long range thinkers and almost everyone there eats the chicken finger and French Fries too many times over the few days they are there. It’s a blast. I highly recommend it.
I’m booked for Opening weekend at Vegas Summer League as well.
Coming up fast!
Excellent news that will resinate beyond Monk’s time as a Kings. This hints and a willingness of ownership to spend AND this should put the LaVine rumors to bed.
The best part, this has zero impact on the rest of the Kings free agency. They still have their full MLE and Bi-annual exception. Let’s get it done Monte!
My vote has always been to throw the full MLE at Jalen Smith. Just seems like the perfect fit at the 4 and we don’t need to give up any assets to bring him in.
Make him a serious offer upfront, tell him you expect him to compete for the starting job, give him an option after Year 3 once his bird rights are acquired, and hope he picks us over his other suitors. I’d bet he’d at least be intrigued.
That seems like an overpay for a guy ended up being the 4th/5th big, not getting playoff minutes ahead of Isaiah Jackson.
I could see ~8m or so, basically what Lyles earns.
J. Smith would be an upgrade over Javale, and probably Len and Sasha, but the full MLE? Idk about that
He’s only scheduled to make $5.4m on his player option. Offer him $6.5, then make it a sign and trade, sending the Pacers Sasha (or better yet send back Duarte).
I think the Pacers let him walk for nothing and clear cap space now that they have Pascal locked up long term.
This would be interesting. Would then use MLE on Naji Marshall or Shaddiq Bey to shore up the bench.
ok, Jack. Now we are talking. I think both these guys have better value than K. Johnson, either Collins or J. Smith
Kings once offered MB3 for Bey. Got turned down. Marshall brings some nasty.
You really can’t compare Marshall or Bey to Smith or Collins but you can to Johnson. IMO they have to play close to the same position on the floor.
Does $6.5m beat the 29 team market? Therein lies the question.
That is the question. Would the Kings be bidding against themselves for Jalen Smith? He probably has some suitors, but I think the full MLE is too much, and the BAE is not enough. He probably lies in the middle somewhere.
Agreed. And given that the full MLE is now over $40m for three years, I tend to agree that, as much as I am intrigued by Smith, the full MLE is too much. Lyles money ($8m a year) would be my comfort level.
Man, how I would love to see Lyles shed / redistribute about 15 lbs. and come in at a more active stretch 4 body. Dude has a 7-3 wingspan and can stroke the 3. On paper, he looks like such a great fit.
When I look at Lyles, 7’3 wingspan neve occurred to me. He doesn’t look like a guy with such long reach.
And yes, being slimmer to play the true stretch 4 would be nice. He is a tweener now, and not the type that plays up a position well. Embrace the stretchiness Trey!
I am with you on Trey. He tantalizes with his shooting and rebounding and hustle.
I heard on one of the Sacramento based podcasts he (and everyone else that gets an NBA paycheck) is in the proverbial “best shape of his life”. I hope he comes to camp healthy and can get consistent rotational minutes at the 4.
His was piss poorly used by MB because he HAD to have a traditional big on the floor at all times…Lyles when healthy should of gotten more minutes than Len or McGee at the 5
I will continue believing that the kings get significantly better with Lyle’s starting at PF and Barnes coming off the bench. Now if a bigger upgrade to the 4 comes in some how some way then great. But as of now, I think that’s the move.
I agree but I also don’t want to lose him. He could be bachup center or IMO bachup the starting power forward. Or both.
Can’t lose him because they don’t have him yet.
IMO 6.5 won’t do it. 8m might.
In fact, I’d probably rather have Isaiah Jackson. He has major foul issues, but he’s a more impactful player when he’s on the court.
That said, I certainly wouldn’t sign or pay either of them expecting them to slot into the starting role.
I would’nt slot Smith as a starter. Not yet. He would be a good backup to Sabonis and your big bench player. Very versable.
I’m not sure he’s at all versatile. I didn’t get to watch as much basketball this year as in the past, but unless something significant changed in his game, Smith seriously lacks awareness and is painfully slow laterally and extremely stiff. Basically, he can spot up from 3 and get blocks and rebounds when standing under the bucket. But if you ask him to move off those spots on either end he’s lost and a liability. That isn’t to say I wouldn’t be perfectly happy with him as a 5th big (on a 5th big salary), but I don’t think he should currently get getting more than 10-12 minutes a game on a team with any aspirations.
Compare the stats then tell me Jackson is better than Smith.
Who do you target with the MLE?
I would look at Jalen Smith, Naji Marshall, Isaac Okoro.
Smith and Marshall probably aren’t getting the full MLE from a team. They would both fit nicely on the roster, and each would be around $8-10m/year, so likely only get one of them.
Okoro is an RFA and I wonder if Cleveland would match the MLE salary and just retain him.
Solid take.
Great idea on Smith and Marshall. Smith a gamble but a good one and Marshall ready to help .
Jalen Smith. If he walks like what Adamsite thinks it might happen then pick him up not using your MLE. Instead pick uo either Naji Marshall or Shaddiq Bey as really good bachup bench players.
I’m out on Saddiq Bey. Number might be alright, but he doesn’t seem to impact winning wherever he has been. Just a mediocre backup 3 that isn’t a game changer.
I’m starting to get the distinct impression that you want Jalen Smith, Jack! 🙂
I think Smith’s role took a major hit when Pascal joined the team. He basically lost all of his minutes at PF as he was behind Pascal and Toppin. Jackson got more minutes at the backup center position later in the season. Interestingly enough Smith played around 300 more minutes this season than Jackson.
I think it’s just a case of him getting lost in the shuffle post trade deadline and Indy running a smaller and faster lineup as the season went on. Even Nesmith was getting minutes at PF.
i think your take on this is right. At 6’10” young and improving, can defend especially the weakside and shoots the 3 at 40%. To me he’s worth it.
I think it’s just a case of him being better in theory than in practice. It’s been the case with him since college, IMO. He has the physical tools and a decent stand still shot, but he doesn’t really have any idea what to do in games. Kinda like Bamba. Give him a stand still spot up 3 and he’ll hit it at a decent rate. Let him stand under the basket and he’ll block some shots and grab some rebounds. But the moment he gets moved off those spots or has to read and react to the game, he struggles. He’s an easy mark on switches and against skilled F/C’s.
I completely agree, and I still like him as a backup C more than I like McGee or Len.
8m might do it. I really like the guy. If we can get him you will be pleasantly surptised on how good he is.
but he rode the pine in Indy, Why? Jackson, Toppin, Pascal and Turner and small ball. He has never proven himself as a high rotation guy.
Look at Adamsite’s take on him in above comments.
I don’t think it will take the full MLE and I’m also hesitant to assume Monte has approval from ownership to use it. Monk’s new deal puts them on the cusp of the tax. The MLE puts them over the line.
If Vivek doesn’t want to pay the tax then there’s nothing to be done post-Monk signing. This team now has a chance to become significantly better with the MLE, bi-annual, and #13. It’s time to spend. Otherwise, what are we doing here?
I wouldn’t be mad about that. Smith seems like he could be pretty productive given more minutes. Shocked to see that he shot .424 from three last season, albeit on just 2.4 attempts per game. A big who needs to be covered away from the basket is a nice fit.
Ok, can someone clarify how this deal could be struck before the end of the moratorium? Is it because of his Early Bird-Rights or it qualifies as some kind of extension?
I’ll also add, I find the timing interesting in it’s just hours after the Caruso trade.
I’m going to guess
that Monk decided to stay in Sac and that blew up the Lavine/Caruso deal which became Caruso for Giddey.
It could very easily been the opposite – Caruso deal blew it up.
I have seen that McNair stared that signing Monk was their first priority as reported earlier this week. He (Monk) agreed everything else dropped.
Teams can begin negotiating with their own players once the Finals are over. I don’t believe it’s signed, just agreed to by both parties.
It’s a handshake deal. Can only sign after July 6.
Under the new CBA, teams are allowed to negotiate with their own FAs before the rest of free agency begins. This rule change allows the Kings and Monk to have a deal, just like the Pacers and Siakam reaching a deal.
Nice. I like that rule.
Yeah – really good add to the FA rules.
It’s a double-edged sword as it takes a lot of UFAs off the market before it opens, but for a team like Sacramento that has an incredibly difficult time pulling high-level guys in free agency, it’s definitely more good than bad.
Like a rocket!
I wish there was a laugh emoji available, because I’d give you one!
I hadn’t allowed myself to believe that Monk would sign with the Kings. But I also wasn’t sure there were any better situations out there for him.
He possibly could have made $10-ish million more over four years, but he gets to play with a close friend in front of a fan base that absolutely loves him.
I wanted the Kings to draft Malik at #10 in 2017 so he could share the backcourt with his college teammate. I was disappointed when they traded down to 15/20 and super disappointed when Justin Jackson was the pick at 15.
But we get to watch Malik and Fox play together in their prime for the next several years. This turned out better than I could have hoped for. Stoked.
Best offseason EVER!!!!!
Great job Monty! Make this draft an awesome memorable one for us fans! I’m so excited!!
Thank goodness! Now, can we stop the Zach LaVine bullshit?
Mercifully, yes.
yes
Awesome! Awesome!! Awesome!!! Excellent extension signing without any drama going forward. Looking forward to what’s next. Thank you Malik!!!
I always figured there was a chance he would re-sign. I just assumed his camp would wait until they saw which other teams were throwing around the money-bins. Either way, this is great.
MM contract details per Marks:
2024/25- $17.4M
2025/26- $18.8M
2026/27- $20.2M
2027/28- $21.6M (Player)
Just an absolute steal of a deal for the Kings.
For context, KH is making just under $17M this upcoming season, on a contract mind you that was signed a few years ago. HB is making $18M this upcoming season. How is HB making more than MM?
Again, this MM contract is an absolute steal. King’s fans should also pat themselves on the back as I believe the amount of love fans have shown MM since he got here played a part in taking less money. He’s quickly become a fan favorite in the mold of BJax, I can still remember how much of a fan favorite BJax was back in the day.
Looking back at those previous contract Holmes and HB signed…and we were like “wow, that’s a steal of a deal”….But right now, both contracts become negative assets (we need to attach pick to send Holmes away, and HB is unstable)…
I do hope Monk can still improve, and out-performed his contract…
I don’t think that Barnes’ contract is a negative asset. I thin that it is a neutral asset. Because of Murray and Sabonis, he is not the fit that we need here. But at 2/$37m, he is, at the worst, a close to fair value player. An unselfish pro that strokes 38% from beyond the arc, an ironman that suits up every night. You’re not getting an all star for him, but he’s moveable.
100% on the nose. There are more than a few teams that would love to have a rotational big who stretches the floor, and has good smarts.
The fact that he’s incredibly bright and a damned fine human is another benefit you acquire in getting him.
Dude’s a pro. If you ship him out, you hope that the “leaders” on this roster have grown up and into their new locker room role(s).
And that’s another benefit to keeping Monk. He works hard and keeps things light for his teammates. If someone isn’t playing with fire in their belly, Monk will not hesitate to light one under their ass.
He’s leader-ish, at a minimum.
Yup, in a perfect world he’s coming off the bench backing up Keegan and whoever you get at the 4 spot. Solid pro, high character, and gives you 82 games a year. I definitely prefer to keep him over Huerter.
This, you are on fire today.
KH plus picks needed for the likes of Portis, Collins, Kuz, Grant etc and moving Barnes to the bench would do wonder for our team
I think HB’s contract is tradeable. Even KH, for what he brings as a shooter is on a fair contract and he likely reverses his play to the mean next season.
Ideally, KH, HB and Sasha are traded this offseason.
I also think Mitchell, Duarte and Lyles could also be traded.
Bring it. We need an overhaul of our rotational pieces
It’s great when a team can retain solid talent. Monk is a solid NBA player. I am trying to not get too excited because there are times where teams play shenanigans. I’ll save my enthusiasm for when he actually signs. Remember the Deandre Jordan 2015 craziness?
Remember with the Kings pulled their offer to Igudala in 2013?
I’m not saying any shenanigans are going to happen, but I too will rest easy when the ink hits the paper. Apparently this new rule which allows teams to negotiate with there own free agents give the Kings an edge, but I’d imagine there could be scenarios where it backfires.
I could see a situation where it kind of sets a market price for a free agent, and this is done even before the draft. A lot of things could change between now and July 6th, including a team now willing to come and overpay for Monk, since the price floor has been set. What if a trade happens that alters the landscape, like if the Bulls lowered their price for LaVine and offered draft capital with him? Would Monte shift gears and pull the offer for Monk?
Not saying it’s gonna happen…but you never know.
If anyone would back out, I think Monk would (unlikely, imo). It would be a bad look for the Kings to agree to terms and then back out. It would send a bad message to agents and players.
Yeah…like when they pulled the offer to Iggy. It’s happened before.
It was a long time ago so I don’t recollect clearly. But wasn’t Iggy just using the Kings as leverage? I thought in the aftermath he said he was never signing with the Kings. Again, I may be remembering incorrectly.
Yeah, we were market makers for a lot of guys back then. Iggy, Wes Matthews, Monte Ellis.
Monte doesn’t seem like the slimy rat type of GM to do that. PDA however, is the definition of a slimy rat.
Who Gru?
I might be in the minority on this, but at that time, I didn’t think Iggy was worth the money we offered.
No, I don’t remember the offer, I just didn’t want him on that team we had. GREAT guy, but he was not going to help us at all. Maybe would have won us a few more games, but we weren’t really at the competitive level we are now.
I mean, South Beach is cool and all, but have you ever partied at Joe’s Crab Shack in Old Sac? No wonder he’s staying.
Looks like Malik was just rocketing up that purple beam this whole time!
Equal parts surprised and not surprised, to be honest.
Surprised because there was another 20-30 million out there for him, potentially, and I think he still wants to start. Unless Brown gave him some kind of promise in that regard (seriously doubt it), his role won’t change.
Not surprised because Monk & Fox adore one another and seem to bring out the best in one another. MM has clearly thrived under Brown, and blossomed into the kind of explosive player that has tremendous value. And of course, Sacramento is a great place to be a professional basketball player. The love is massive, and it goes both ways with Monk.
As mentioned, the timing is extremely advantageous for the Kings, and hopefully precludes the idea of drafting a guard (unless Stephon Castle is somehow still on the board). Even had Monk left, I’d have been disinclined to draft another guard. And possibly best of all, it undercuts any need for Zach Lavine, assuming such a thing even exists.
I think Monk could have made more money for a starting role for at least 4 of the franchises rumored to be wanting his services. I don’t see any way he stays on the bench. And honestly, if he does I’m going to have some major concerns about our coaching staff moving forward. I’ve yet to see a championship caliber team bring their 3rd best player off the bench in any sport.
If he plays 30+ minutes starting or coming off the bench, why does it matter (he played 26mpg last season)? He is out there closing games usually, and has the keys to the car when he is on the floor. If he gets hung up on having the title “starter”, then he needs to take a step back and assess his mindset.
*Laughs in San Antonio Spurs*
Manu started plenty the first half of his career. It wasn’t until the second half of his tenure that he almost exclusively came off the bench. And they only won a chip like that in 2014.
Cool outlier, and maybe it could work if we had the best PF and coach of all time…
*Laughs in facts*
In other facts, I was wrong. I have seen a championship caliber team win a chip with their 3rd best player coming off the bench. Again, tho: TD and Pop have a lot to do with making that successful…
1,057 games played.
349 games started.
Of course Pops and Duncan had a lot to do with the success, but your assertion was that you’ve never seen a championship team bring their third-best player off the bench. I maintain that you have.
For what it’s worth, I don’t think that Monk is one of the top three players on the roster.
#seemyedit
#selffactcheck
#seeingmyselfout
Did you not watch the Spurs with Manu? The Celtics w McCale? Maybe even Vinnie Johnson w the pistons. It’s been done.
It actually enables teams to win it all.
Monk dunks are definitely my favorite thing to watch as a Kings fan so glad he’s back.
Honestly I can’t think of anything much more eclectic than a Monk windmill slam in the NBA. Maybe a Wemby tip in from the 3 point line cause Space Jam IRL is wild.
I literally hear the sound SPROINNNGGGG in my head when he takes off for an alley-oop.
He needs to vary his dunks. Its the same “cock back the right arm and throw it down”. He gives Keegan crap for his same two-handed dunk, but Malik does the same thing on almost every dunk.
I like his dunks also but as long as he makes them I personally don’t care how he does it.
The cock-back seems to be his “I’m gonna dunk on ya” challenge to opposing players.
I think the default cock-back is mostly due to his limited size and length and is the most effective rim attack when he is being challenged by bigger, longer players.
He also does windmills and other various dunks on fast-breaks, but most of his dunks are two-handed oops or power slams where he dunks it or gets fouled.
It’s the nastiness of Malik’s dunks that make them great. He goes in like a warrior expecting to destroy you. I LOVE Keegan, but he dunks the ball like a butterfly.
Yes I’ve seen a butterfly dunk. It wasn’t good at all.
Excellent. So glad to have Monk back!!! Now get a quality PF.
I believe Monty will do just that. And some really good bench players too.
Its a good move at a good price. I refuse to get hyperbolic about it, though, because I don’t think its “huge” or “shocking” or a “massive coup” at all. Its a savvy move that puts us in position to make a huge/shocking/massive coup type transaction, and I think we can all agree that we need something like that in order to consider ourselves serious contenders. That is, of course, unless Keegan (and Keon) make a Fox-type leap and the coaching staff brings some new and improved schemes that the squad masters quick, fast and in a hurry.
Barring that, however, this team is going to largely be the same squad as last year, with the same holes it had defensively and offensively. Without getting into who we should target, this team is one good (not great) player away from being serious contenders. If Monte can swing on someone and find that “homerun” type player for us, THAT would be huge. We are close but we are still far. There is work to do, Monte. Vivek. And the spreadsheet nerds. We need you to make that one, last, good move that solidifies us for the next 3-5 years.
And then I’ll lose my shit, get hyperbolic and start printing “Championship or BUST” t-shirts. I wouldn’t hate for that to be later this summer…
This only means the organization is functioning at a basic level. Above the stupidity of the past. Not good yet.
Go get an established power forward in a trade or in free agency. Go one step beyond basic and try to win.
HECK YAH. Time to get a Monk jersey
So, can someone help me understand what this does to the options to sign other FA’s? Can he be signed after we get others to sign despite the cap room that’s left (Bird Rights, I think these are called?)?
There is no cap room left. Just the MLE ($12ishM) and Bi-annual exception ($5ishM). Monk was only able to be re-signed because of his Early Bird-Rights.
Yup, GREAT position to be in for bringing two players in.
Bi-Annual for Mo Bamba!!!
I was on that Bamba train forever and think I finally let it leave the station
It would be cheap, and basically replace the Javale minutes to see what the guy can do. Keep Len, and let Coach figure it out.
NOw Draft Holmes or DeSilva
I love it
This deserves to be purple fo sure.
This is not awful, But not awesome. The emergent identity of this team was forged in the first play-in game, the glorious moment of retribution, and the defense played when Keon was inserted into the starting lineup, coinciding with 3rdrranked NBA defense. What now? Revert to the sporadic bullshit with a one-dimensional chucker who can’t guard his shadow with propensity for extreme performance variance synonymous with a fringe team?
Fans get seduced by charisma and electrifying plays. I am not immune. I like to be entertained. But ultimately, I prefer logic and facts over emotion in the context of aspiring to be an elite team.
There is a perception Malik and Domas have synergy. Put them in the pick and roll and let them cook. Domas and Malik have a two-man net rating of -3.9 points per 100 possessions in 1140 minutes. That’s not cooking, that’s microwaved pop tart. This rating is 8th out of 10 two-man combo with Domas, ahead only of Sasha and Duarte, two scrubs.
What was your standard and basis of your burning desire to bring back Malik?
Hey, at least he is better than two scrubs?
There is a perception Malik and Fox have synergy. Former college teammates with a psychic connection to confound their foes. Fox and Monk have a net rating of -1.7 points per 100 possessions in 1100 minutes, the worst two-man combination that includes Fox.
Fox and any other rotational player are +4.38 points per 100 possessions, so who is the culpable entity in this pairing? We just committed 78M to a player with NO proven affinity with our two best players.
Yah. Or yah?
Our four most talented players are Fox, Domas, Keegan and Malik. This combo has a net rating of -2.6 points per 100 possessions, albeit in 300 minutes. Remove Malik and your three-man core jumps to + 4.2 points per 100 possessions in 1500 minutes, a 6.8-point swing. In the stretch run, the collapse from 5th seed to play-in, fans bemoaned the offense minus Malik as a secondary shot creator. This claim had situational merit.
Overall, however, our offensive rating was 0.3 points better per 100 possessions (117.1 to 117.4) without Malik while our defensive rating jumped 5.1 points (113.6 to 118.7).
In sum, we were +5.5 net without Malik.
Malik had a net rating in his first season with us of -2.1, not exactly generating warm and fuzzy vibes RE: the prospects to make WCF next season. Defense wins. Dallas proved that, with the best ranked defense in the playoffs. Minnesota proved that, knocking off the defending champs with suffocating resistance. The Knicks proved that, with Fort Knox defense stands before injuries beset them. The Celtics proved that all season long with .800-win percentage enroute to the title.
I understand the counter argument. I can make it better than you. Allow me to Steel Man the Malik case then blast Grand Canyon size holes in the steel. See, we struggled to find a consistent bench. This context matters. The play of McGee, Sasha, Duarte, and first half for Davion hindered Malik’s advanced stats, although he always shared the floor with Fox or Domas along with three other bench players.
Once we shore our bench unit or promote Malik to a starting role, these numbers will flip, validating his worth.
This argument is dubious. Starting Malik is a disgusting idea. Keon is the perfect complement to Keegan and Fox to lessen their defensive responsibilities, enable them to flourish offensively, including increased usage for Keegan, increase his FGAs to get to 18-20 PPG, inhibited if he is forced to share shots with Malik.
Keon also +3.4 net rating with Domas, +7.3 points better than Monk.
Our hit-first edge is not unlike BOS with Jrue and White, with Keon (steal rate 2.5) and Fox (steal rate 2.7), league leader in steals and deflections, terrorizing the opponent backcourts from the outset, short circuiting sets, NOT giving them a weak link to target repeatedly. If Malik (steal rate 1.2 womp womp) was so instrumental, there would have been NO way to play him behind a player who slumped as badly as Huerter.
If Malik was as good as he thinks he is, and as good as most fans think he is, not empty calories, replete with dramatic swings that undermine team momentum, and winning streaks, he would have commanded the starting SG spot over lightweights Duarte and Huerter before Keon emerged.
Can you imagine D-White playing behind Payton Pritchard? It would never happen because the difference in quality and consistency. A coach comes to trust certain players. Trust or lack thereof manifests in playing time. Our coach never trusted Malik to start him over a player who had every reason to come to distrust (Huerter). Missed assignments and 56% TS% will tend to do that, mitigated only by 2.5 ASST/TOV ratio.
Malik was not prevented from starting because of the coach, he was prevented from starting by his own shortcomings. Yah, he’s back. Or he’s back, yah?
I hear fans say, we need talent. We need to upgrade. Every team is looking to always add talent. It is more relevant to say that what a team needs is synergistic talent. We need the sum to be greater than the parts. We need more talent, yes. But we need talent that fits. We need more talent to complement our best players, since you maximize the potential of your team by maximizing the performance of your all-stars.
Adding Malik is NOT an addition of synergistic talent until proven otherwise, until the evidence to the contrary is refuted.
The return of Malik is a talent add and simultaneously means you are unlikely to have a Top 5 Defense ever, and you are unlikely to have a Top 10 ranked defense ever, unless you shed every other bad defender in your rotation.
If you want a Top 10 ranked defense with Malik playing 25 MPG, it is mandatory to get rid of HB and Huerter, and that may not be enough. It is mandatory that the additions you make can defend. Malik makes the future of Davion dubious, since neither player has success checking bigger guards, so pairing them together is unappealing . It is probably time to move on from Davion, sadly, just as he was ready to turn a corner.
Obviously Malik signed when he did because more money was not available to him.
A few variables since the regular season end factored in. LAC had a sorry end to their playoffs, increasing the possibility Paul George will look to opt out and move on. Klank going 0-10 in the play-in versus us increases the chance he will be on the move (ORL or PHI). Buddy’s almost hero performance in a closeout game has PHI thinking twice before allowing him to walk, potentially taking Maliks spot and money. The flux in LAL could increase the chance that D-Lo opts out and tests free agency (ORL). SAS securing a second pick in the lottery (#4 and #8) enables them to address their lead guard needs.
Only DET, a team notoriously bad at talent evaluation, see Marvin, Wiseman, Killian Hayes, and losers of 30 games in a row, appeared to have their sights on Malik if the rumors were true. If anything, this may have depressed his value. Even with their new GM who would want to share an assessment equal to DET? You could say Malik chose us. I would say he settled, before we changed our minds, before our generosity was rescinded, and with a barren free agent landscape making the choice for him.
Hooray, I guess. Or just guessing, hooray?
The only way this works out, instead of backfires, is if Malik is NOT done developing as a player. This has to be the bet, that at age 26, there is another level, that the sample size over two seasons and 2500 minutes is not conclusive, that the scoring efficiency and the defense can improve. If the next season is a continuation of the previous two, this sucks. It is a commitment to flash over substance, flair over fundamentals, giving the fans their money’s worth on the path to nowhere.
I agree with a lot but it’s inarguably better to keep him from an asset standpoint just like it was Barnes (who e we can now flip).
the mistake comes if they start him over keon.
This. He’s an asset retained and he adds to Monte’s asset cupboard. We could argue forever if he is a difference maker in the win/loss column, but I’d point out that his contract is solid and valuable.
And yes…keep him as 6th man. As of today, start Ellis and let that play out.
I think that putting Pop Tarts in the microwave is a terrible idea.
Nice comment.
But ultimately, the MM contract is a steal and it was necessary to keep him for CaP reasons. Worst case, he’s a great trade chip in the future.
I agree he should be 6th man.
Starting lineup:
Fox
Keon
Murray
A new PF (Portis, Bridges, Kuz etc.)
Domas
Maybe Collins. What he does or will do fits better than the above 3 IMO.
I read every twentieth word and completely disagree with all of that gibberish.
I didn’t and its still gibberish. He lost me at “one-dimensional chucker”. Actually he lost me long before that.
It’s actually a pretty solid post backed up with data. I encourage you to read it.
No thanks. I’m long familiar with the hinky conclusions he comes to from his selective use of statistics. To each his own.
Ugh.
Yeah…so Malik is back!!!
Huerter and the 13 for kuzma.
move Barnes to the bench.
fox/keon/murray/kuzma/sabonis
davion/monk/barnes/lyles/len
wrap
HB and 13 for Kuzma and 26.
Take DaRon Holmes at 26.
Nah keep HB for the wing depth, it’s more needed on this team than Huerters guard depth even though I think at this point (age) Huerter is the better asset (also why Wiz would want him, he could actually still be on the team if they turn it around).
Monk is the perfect 6th man still, regardless of contract due to his ability to light it up immediately and change the game momentum. Gotta keep Freon Keon in the starting lineup due to the ice cold veins on defense.
Reports that KH is drawing a lot of interest 👀
And that the Kings are the likely suitor for Lavine…
Brooke Lopez is also on the block…huerter and Duarte for Lopez and a pick? Lopez has 1 year left at $23m.
No, no, no. Isn’t Lopez in his mid 40s? 23 mil a year, HELL NO.
Ya Brook is too old at this point, now his teammate Portis, that’s another story.
KH for Portis 👊
We could probably get in some 3 team trade with Mil and Chi…I could see Mil wanting to grab Vuc, while we smooth things over with salaries and grab Portis.
Dame, Huerter, Middleton, Giannis and Vuc is pretty strong lineup.
Trade machine works for:
Mil gets Vuc and Huerter
Chi gets 1st rounder from bucks via NoP and expiring B. Lopez
Sac gets Portis
KH makes some sense for MIL to get shooting around Giannis.
Bingo 😉
Very surprised Monk returned. But certainly good news.
The only downside I see. Is if he starts. A Fox/monk backcourt would be on the short side and Monk is really more a liability on D.’Against speedy athletic long 2s, he will will get owned.
So, if he’s still getting his minutes off the bench that would be more ideal.
The Kings need length more than anything.’
I believe some Kings fans truly overvalue players like Huerter and Barnes.
You will see. Barnes bad to terrible defensively. Showed last year he could not keep up with anyone.
He will have an occasional
good offensive night. But Ghost Harrison is what you’re getting 70 percent of the time.
Huerter tries on Defense. But he’s so slow it’s laughable. I don’t know how many times I saw speed 2 guards make him look stupid time and time again.
He cannot create because he’s not a good ball handler, and he’s too slow to cook anywhere else.
He’s relegated to being a spot shooter who’s also coming off a serious injury. And his contract is not that attractive.
If the Kings think they are getting a starting caliber player for those 2 and picks.
Think again.
Both players have decent contracts for what they provide to teams, you don’t realize how bare some of these middling teams are…
I absolutely agree though about Monk not being able to start, it just doesn’t fit the team as well as him staggering off the bench with spot minutes with Fox
Most GQ FA EVER!!!!
Mitchell Robinson anyone?
Let him start the first 5 games and see what happens. Take Fox out at the 6 minute mark and put in Keon for a bit. What the heck. We’ll know pretty quickly if it works or not.
So your plan is to play him more then Fox???
Don’t fix what ain’t broke, keep him coming off the bench, it’s a better fit with Fox/Keon starting
Mike dropped.
By Mike…?
Exactly. MM can come off the bench and still play as many minutes as he would if he was starting.
In the end, the opinion seems unanimous. From the most positive to the most negative, keeping Monk appears to be correct choice. It is important to note that this choice happened because Malik Monk allowed for it to happen.
Among the pro-Monk-ites, keeping Monk is clearly a good thing due to his high-level passing and playmaking.
Among the anti, even they are forced to be happy against their will because they understand that any alternative under the Kings’ salary cap would likely have been far inferior to the King of Kings.
So be happy. It is one of the rare cases where literally everybody got exactly what they wanted.
Badge Legend