How Malik Monk may bring more than just three-point shooting to the Kings

Malik Monk was widely considered a great bargain last season for the Los Angeles Lakers. Following four underwhelming campaigns in Charlotte, Monk got another chance next to LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook, and he shined in his only season in Los Angeles.

Monk finished the season averaging career bests in points (13.8), rebounds (3.4), assists (2.9) and minutes (28). He also shot 47% from the field and 39% from three. According to Cleaning The Glass, the Lakers Efficiency Differential was a +6.6 with Monk the floor and a +10 in terms of points per 100 possessions.

The Kings signed Monk on a two-year, $19 million deal, which also could be considered a bargain for a 24-year-old who showed he might have just been a late bloomer. His three-point shooting is obviously the biggest benefit to his game, and it helps solve a real problem the Kings had last season. As De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis attack the paint, Monk will often be left open for kick-outs. That isn’t the only way Monk could help the Kings though. He has improved in his playmaking ability in terms of his passing and attacking off the dribble. He also should serve as a  good complement to Fox, Sabonis and Keegan Murray on the fast break.

Let’s take a look.

Playmaking

Monk improved his assist numbers with the Lakers as the season went on. From March 1 to the end of the season he averaged close to 4 assists per game. And when the season concluded and he reflected, he spoke about how he thought he matured as a player and how this aspect of his game was part of that.

“Just being an all-around player, not just focusing on putting the ball in the basket. … Trying to rebound, trying to get other guys involved. Just playmaking, just more mature. I think I got a more mature game than my last four years,” he said.

We shouldn’t get too carried away because Monk is a shooter before he is a playmaker, but he is capable as a third or fourth option in that regard. The Lakers used him in the pick and roll at times.

And because of his speed he is able to blow by defenders if they try to guard him tight to prevent the three.

If a big tries to come out on him he can get by him and quickly get to the basket.

Plus, he can create his own shot if he needs to.

Monk’s playmaking ability in spurts has the potential to make the Kings offense more unpredictable and dynamic. He can be a little sporadic in terms of production though. He had three, 7+ game streaks of double digit scoring last season, but he also had 21 games with 7 points or less.

The Fast Break

When it comes to the fast break, Monk will add another element to the Kings arsenal.

Athleticism has always been one of Monk’s calling cards. And this is another thing the Kings lacked last season. It wasn’t a particularly athletic roster, which often made Chimezie Metu stand out when he got minutes. With Monk the Kings have someone as part of the main rotation who can help keep that athletic pressure on defenses next to Fox.

Monk make 67% of his shots around the rim last season, which was in the 91st percentile for combo guards in the 2021-22 campaign.

Plus, Fox and Monk will be reunited after their one season in Kentucky when they both looked like athletic avengers.

Now, we can’t talk about all this exciting stuff without bringing up the obvious – defense is something this team will still need. If Monk, who is on the smaller side at 6’3’’, is the starter next to Fox then they will need to put a lot of focus into defense because neither of them have the greatest track record in that category. Monk knows he needs to step it up in that regard.

“I think I need to do a little bit more on the defensive end, but that was the first words Monte [McNair], Mike [Brown] and everybody said to me when they called me was, ‘you’ve got to pick it up on the defensive end.’ I think that is what I am going to carry over the most from last year that I didn’t do,” Monk said Friday in his introductory press conference with the Kings.

The effective field goal percentage of Lakers opponents last season when Monk was on the floor was +1% better, so I guess that isn’t terrible, but clearly Monk can improve.

With the additions of Monk, Kevin Huerter and Murray, the Kings offense should be pretty fun to watch. If the group, starting with Fox, can put effort into defense then this team could be even more fun to watch. Kings general manager Monte McNair addressed the defense in Friday’s presser also.

“We have to improve on both sides of the ball, we’ve talked with Coach Brown about that, he’s addressed it at his press conference. Our team is going to defend, but we have to score as well, and we’ve got to improve on both ends. I think last year, neither side of the ball was up to par,” McNair said. “We think these two guys [Monk and Kevin Huerter] will help. We all know about their shooting, but I think defensively underrated and guys that Coach Brown is excited to get on the floor and see what they can do on both ends.”

We shall see.