After a single season in Sacramento, Malik Monk has already secured his place as one of the better free agent signings in Sacramento Kings history. Reunited with friend and collegiate teammate De’Aaron Fox, Monk had a fantastic year for the Sacramento Kings. Throughout the season Monk brought an energy and a swagger to the team. Monk embraced his role as the 6th man, and had the best overall season of his career.
Monk finished the year averaging 13.5 points per game, just 0.3 points fewer than his career high that he set last season with the Lakers. But what stands out is that Monk’s scoring remained nearly the same despite Monk playing nearly 6 minutes less per game.
Malik made massive strides in his passing game, increasing his assists from 2.9 per game last season to 3.9 per game, while only increasing his turnovers by 0.3 per game. Monk often served as the de-facto point guard for bench units, but also demonstrated his passing when playing alongside starters. Monk developed a fantastic give-and-go chemistry with Domantas Sabonis throughout the year.
Monk also improved at drawing fouls and getting to the free throw line. Monk average 2.7 FTAs per game. Not a huge number by any means, but nearly a full extra free throw per game over his previous career high.
While Monk’s production was sometimes up-and-down from game to game (a trend throughout Monk’s career), it worked well with Monk coming off the bench. He wasn’t expected to carry the team night in and night out, but he could be a sparkplug off the bench. His fearlessness in big moments was crucial in the playoffs as well.
The only downside going into next season is that Monk will be an expiring contract, and I’m not eager for the Malik Monk experience to end.
Monk was streaky but was probably my favorite King this year. His “with band aid” stats were off the charts. The smile, personality, and animation were infectious as much as his energetic play. Great signing! I’d love to see Monk in a Kings uniform for a long time.
He’s fun to watch and killed it in the playoffs. He’s the perfect sixth man and spot starter. I hope he can develop his handling and passing and handle some spot PG duties as well.
I saw him as the back up PG. He ran the 2nd unit.
If we try an get Anonuby by trade it might happen more than we think.
Me too. One of my favorites also.
Monk is my favorite King and I hope Monte extends him.
I was hoping we would draft Monk in 2017 the year he came out but we traded the pick (number 10) right before Monk was drafted to POR and ended up taking Justin Jackson and Giles at 15 and 20 lol.
Looking back at that draft we could have drafted with the 10th pick one of Monk, Spida, Bam, John Collins, Jarrett Allen or OG…but of course Mr. Divac took the two aforementioned.
Giles may be my favorite Kings draft bust of all time. I suppose it’s a little ridiculous to feel sorry for a guy who made more money, in a few seasons, than I’ll make in my working career. I was SO pissed when they refused his option! It turned out to be one of Vlade’s smartest decisions though.
I’ll take Papagiannias as the biggest draft bust lol. Giles is up there as well.
The Affable Assassin, Malik Monk. It’s not often a guy rips another man’s heart out with a ball in his hand & will tell him a joke and laugh with him (not at him) 10 seconds later. Malik’s a good dude. Who will kill you on the court. I’d take 5 of him on the squad if I could.
Aside from Fox taking his game to another level, Monk was the biggest influence on this Kings resurgence. What a baller, keep him for 10 years.
I would place Sabonis as the number one reason but ymmv.
How much do you think it will take to keep him in Sac past this season?
I’m not that well versed in the cap rules and salary schemes.
I think his value is high and you can’t afford to lose him.
I know that the new CBA discourages big spending, but it is time for Vivek to show that he is willing to actually spend.
IIRC, our FO is relatively small and cheaply maintained, relative to other NBA franchises. And last year we were 23rd in player’s salary payroll rankings, according to HoopsHype.
yeah
B-Jax 2.0. Me likey.
He’s on a bargain deal too. Hope we can keep him after next season.
I saw “Good Malik” and “Bad Malik”. I liked the first. So did Mike Brown who often pulled the bad one before too much damage was inflicted.
Good Malik was great- skilled, engaging and fun as heck to watch.
Love him, keep him.
“Bad Malik” was hard to watch, and the team play TD a lot more, which was usually worse. That’s why I think they really need an additional combo guard this offseason.
There is a rumor out there that the Kings might be able to trade Holmes to the Mavs for Reggie Bullock. Might solve your problem.
I like Reggie Bullocks game, would’ve liked to see the Kings make a run at him when he went to Dallas. I’m not sure he can help much now. Can he play SF?
Monkster was a huge part of the team’s personality and a key piece in ending the playoff drought. This just isn’t the same team without him. Gotta bring him back and keep him for a long time.
Non related. Can the Kings use the rights to Sasha Vezenkov as part of a trade package for another player? Please comment.
in theory, yes. Kings own his “rights”
they could exchange that. But there are two problems: 1 why would he want to negotiate with an entirely different team- when he has about a week to do that. He has no relationship 2. why would another team take the risk- his rights were acquired for a mid- to late second round pick. He is worth less than that now. He is older and he probably can’t be signed. So the other team wastes an asset. Nope.
Kings cannot begin to negotiate until after the draft on the 22nd. Then they have to sign him early July.
If his rights are traded- he won’t sign, and no team wants to trade any asset for that risk.
He is worth, at this point and probably forever far more to the Kings than to anybody.
He could be part of a trade package but his partis, for the most part, worthless.
Thanks murraytant. I guess we will have to keep him and you too.
thanks Jack- appreciate that. But I would trade myself to Toronto for OG, straight up.
I like him but I am afraid the cost is too high. Beal- no
Eubanks- maybe if cheap.
PJ Washington- he just seems invisible.
But keep your ideas coming.
Trade him to Atlanta for our first rounder back next off-season.
Instant Energy!
The Smile, The Skip, The Swagger. Those sky high throwdowns (or attempted ones) – my goodness!
When hot, he took over the game – and as only he could in that Good/Bad way he has. But man, those highs – the Clipper game, the playoffs – non-stop thrills.
And yes- he was definitely the second unit PG as he quarterbacks much more than Davion who is more of a hot potato passer (looks to get rid of the ball, not setting up teammates). He would get on that drive and dish pattern – sometimes to a fault, where he would force the sequence – but he seemed to always move the offense (or jack up a 28 footer). I believe he could become a higher level point guard – he has the handles and can move most anywhere on the court- but that would take a more mild mannered Malik, and maybe that’s just not who he is.
I respect the heck out of the guy – he was the leader of the 2nd unit, clearly – and he accepted and wore that role like the Pro he is. When Huerter was hurt(est), or cold handed – Monk was starting or subbing instantly and finished many 4th quarters. He played 77 games and the Kings were 47-30 (.610).
Oh, and he was the best FT shooter on the Kings as well (89%).
If the Kings starters played more at the level of the regular season (Barnes and Huerter especially) – the Kings would have captured the first round this playoffs. Monk did his part averaging 19 ppg.
I loved the energy he brought off the bench each night. Sure he could run hot and cold, but that’s often indicative of 6th man microwave. I really think he was overlooked as the de facto snd string PG. He was the closest thing to a Fox lite that could fit seamlessly into the flow of the offense.
All that being said, if Monte is swinging for the fences for someone like OG, it may take Monk and his contract to pull of that kind of deal. In all honesty, Monk might be the best tradable asset not named Keegan. His value to contract is great and any team could use his bench spark. If Monte feels Monk will not be here after next season it might be best to move him now or before the deadline to maximize a return.
I like Monk, I really do, but he is a bench player that is more easily replaceable than OG type two way starter. My biggest fear in moving Monk would not be team play, but team chemistry due to his locker room presence and relationship with Fox.
“My biggest fear in moving Monk would not be team play, but team chemistry due to his locker room presence and relationship with Fox.”
I would say Monk is more valuable to the Kings, due to his scoring bursts, and the reasons you just stated. Huerter is likely a more valuable trade piece with 3 seasons left on his deal.
Monk had a great year. That Clippers game was one of the best games I’ve ever seen.
I would not mind at all to see how the entire season plays out with the four guards Fox, Monk, Davion and Huerter again.
With the Wiz in rebuild mode, I like the idea of adding Porzingis to this roster. He has a $36 million option for this upcoming season. Still no word on if he is opting in or not.
You can slot him in at the 4 next to Domas and he would provide the spacing we need around Domas on offense and would provide defense and shot blocking on the other end. He would also be able to fill the backup 5 role as well. Essentially you could always have one of KP or Domas on the floor at all times to keep the offense churning. We’d have the Latvian and Lithuanian Twin Towers.
Fox
KH
Keegan
KP
Sabonis
If KP stays healthy, that could be a championship caliber starting five.
i’ve been messing around with the trade machine in terms of the Wizards because it sure looks like they are blowing things up. The idea of the Zinger makes sense, but the Kings would have to get absolute assurance from his camp that he will opt in to his deal. Even so, the bigger problem with both he and Sabonis hitting free agency at the same time. There are zero reasons for them to sign an extension so that would be a scary gamble on Monte’s part.
In the end, I really don’t think the Kings have the pieces to land Porzingis.
It’ll be interesting to see if he opts in, he obviously won’t get $36 million a yr plus on the open market, but given his injury history he may be inclined to secure a longer term deal. That’s the ideal scenario for us, he opts out and signs a longer term deal as an UFA.
I’d imagine he’d still want $25M+ per year, which may be out of the Kings budget this summer.
PDX discussing the Zinger in a package for the #3
https://twitter.com/TheNBACentral/status/1670207105200971777
Latvian Tower +
Lithuanian Tower
-—————————-
L.L. Beam
Unicorn 🦄 Fox 🦊 and Ox 🐂
The more I consider it, and the more I hear from others, the more I like the idea of KP. J Reynolds brought him up in the draft preview yesterday, and made a good point that if your trying to, not just get incrementally better, but rather build a champion contender, it means swinging for the fence (paraphrasing). KP has a higher ceiling with this roster than anyone else realistically available, and I could see him helping beat Jokic, and the Nugs. It’s just too risky right now.
I wouldn’t want to help solve the Wizards cap situation for them, I’d wait. KP would be a good get but, after he opts in, Washington’s stuck paying his ridiculous salary, for at least half the season. By the trade deadline, he’ll be asking out, and Sac can get him for half price, without spending the entire season cringing every time he’s bumped. He played 65 games last season. Let him prove he can stay healthy a bit longer, and pounce at the deadline when they’re desperate, and he’s about to expire.
If it works, you can get a trial run to test the fit, and see about signing him next offseason, with a better feel for what he can be worth in Sac.. Go get Collins now. Hope to extend Domas, and Monk asap. Sabonis, KP, Collins would be a helluva big rotation. Everything would have to fall in line perfectly, but that’s the kind of path that needs to walked to a championship.
I don’t see any way we can fit both Collins and KP given our CAP situation.
Collins is a decent fit next to Sabonis, but I’d want a better defensive 4 next to Sabonis and more size, Collins is pretty small.
That’s where PJ Washington comes in. A really good defender at 2 thru 5. Very good weak side rim protector. Can rebound. Not bad on the offensive side ether. Shoots the three and likes to drive. Only 24 so not at his peak yet. If we were to trade for OG he would play the 2 with Murray at 3 and Washington at the 4. With Fox and Sabonis you have shooters, drivers and defenders. WOW.
Yes, we know what his name means in Arabic. Mark Jones tells us every freaking game.
Just like we know who’s scored the most clutch points, who made the most 3 pointers other than Steph Curry last year, who went with Fox and his wife on their honeymoon, that DeAaron’s last name is Him, that everybody on the team says things with their chests and put people in weight rooms, along with all the other recycled anecdotes he relates every broadcast as if he’s speaking to a national audience who have never watched the Kings.
Not a fan.
you stole my cornbread.
But I like him, find him unique and entertaining.
Thank you. I find Jones to be unlistenable as well, bordering on completely annoying.
Wish Vivek would up the announcing game as Jones and Kayte are not it.
I like em. My vote cancels yours.
There are very few announcing teams who are actually fun to listen to.
Mark Jones was VERY repetitive with his tag lines, and I think you kinda hit on it right by mentioning he’s used to national audiences. I think he’s still pretty good overall, especially if you spend time listening to commentators for opposing teams. I mostly enjoy Katie as well, but she goes off, during games, on rants that have nothing to do with what we’re watching. Hopefully they can learn to let the game be the focus, and not distract from the action, because there were nights when I would turn the sound off.
Outside of Mitchell and Bam, I was almost certain we were going to take him at 10 that year. Bam was my #1 choice with Spida 2nd, would have been thrilled with Malik. Obviously did not turn out that way lol.
Re-sign him for that infectious smile alone. The clippers game cemented it for me that he needs to wear a Kings jersey for a long, long time. There’s good/bad Monk but man, good Monk is GREAT.
The Kevin Huerter review got 11 comments, ten are mostly complimentary, plus me suggesting that he be shopped. Everyone here shouting about how Monk is their favorite Kings player. Yet no one seems willing to agree Malik played Huerter out of his starting job this year, especially in the playoffs. What am I missing?
Huerter was terrible, (unplayable) against the Warriors. His playoff percentages in Atlanta were marginally better but, embarrassingly awful overall. He was a -12.4 (!) for ATL last post-season, but only a -.6 for Sac, and added 1.1 three pointer per game, on 5.6 attempts from deep (34.7% overall). He did score 29 against Philly once. Sacramento fans have got to be the most forgiving in the country.
In his first post-season series, Monk’s percentages weren’t stellar either, (40.9-33.3-89.8) but better, and his overall performance was very productive, comparatively speaking. He scored more points, dished more assists, grabbed more rebounds, and shot more free-throws, (WAY more!). Is it a racial thing?
Just on height alone Huerter’s a 2/3 and Monk is a 1/2. They have different contract situations, different styles of play and different personalities – so comments will be different. Overall I think they had comparably successful seasons. Monk was OK in the POs; Huerter was bad. “racial thing” sounds unnecessary to me. I would like us to keep them both.
“Racial thing” does sound bad, probably just sub-conscious bias.
KH was inconsistent in the regular season and bad in the duds series, but overall, he had a positive effect on the court during the regular season. Having said that, I’d be perfectly find including him in a trade. I think he’s a very valuable asset given his age, contract and shooting prowess. I also think he can improve quite a bit given his age, I still see a potential poor man’s Klay in KH.
30 something post injury Klay … 🙂
Like most here, I loved Monk for all the reasons listed. Would love to keep him. If he can cut his bad Monk minutes in half and add that to his good Monk minutes, then big win. His bad minutes were from mental mistakes not physical. I’m for keeping the core intact. To me that’s Fox, Domas, Keegan, Monk, and Mitchell.
I like your comment, and agree with your “core” players. Monk started the season looking like a bad signing. Don’t you think that once he got his feet under him, and started meshing, he just got better and better (less “bad Monk”)?
Maybe my idea is gaining traction!
I definitely don’t want to see Huerter gone…
He is a big part of our success in regular season…and he is a sharp shooter who can really spread the floor, and his chemisty with Sabonis is just great…
I am a fan of retaining the current roster…not giving up anyone in the starting lineup….(Consisteny is the most important thing that we should be in off-season)
Also, it would be stupid to give up tons of assets for one year rental of OG….
I hope McNair can re-sign Barnes, Lyles…get Sasha.
Give Queta some chance…or find a back-up big……
Give K. Edwards 10-15 mins per game…
Your a helluva fan. Respect! And respectfully, I would disagree with basically everything stated above. The Kings need to re-shape this roster, including the starting lineup, around the core players.
I wouldn’t give up MM or KH in an OG trade. They can have salary filler and picks. I’m just not as high on OG as most and the fact that he’s only under contract for a year is scary.
I think the best way to pull off an OG trade is to first contact ATL to give up the pick protections they currently hold over the Kings. Sac can’t trade a future first until 2028. Maybe the Hawks would take this year’s 2024 in exchange for lifting those protections? If so offer the Raptors their 2026, and possibly their 2028, plus Mitchell and Monk/Huerter. Both options work. Personally, I’d prefer to keep Huerter over Monk in that situation because of contract length and size.
If Monte can’t free up those protections from ATL, at best he can offer this year’s 2024 (at the moment the pick is made) and the same players. However, I feel the Raptors are going to want more than just one pick.
In a perfect world, this would be my offer:
Monk, Mitchell, Holmes 2026 first unprotected, 2028 first unprotected for OG and Thad Young.
This gets the Kings our of Holmes’ deal, lands OG, and gets Thad Young who has a partially guaranteed deal for 2024-25. This frees up space to max out Sabonis next summer.
I think the Raps already released Young. And with all due respect, I don’t really like your perfect world. How can it be perfect while giving your star player a reason to be disgruntled? I don’t know why Atlanta wouldn’t rather have this year’s #24, than the pick due next year, (maybe add another 2nd). Eric Pincus gave me that idea. So I think your on the right track there.
If Atlanta won’t talk, Monte could offer Huerter, #24, and maybe a swap, maybe another 2nd rounder, or 2. If they want Mitchell or Monk, I’m out. Let Uriji solve his own problems.
I didn’t mention Holmes because he’s probably a negative asset, and the Raps have a bevy of younger, better versions of him already rostered. I don’t know why they would want him. If they’ll take him off the books, I would be willing to sweeten the deal. Maybe Monte could get a third team involved? Maybe that’s the hold up now.
Also Vezenkov could be included.
Vezenkov is not yet an nba player and his rights have the same trade value as when the Kings acquired them. A late second round pick
Vezenkov has improved, he’s a Euroleague MVP now. You may be right but, I would say he’s worth what someone is willing to give. Atlanta doesn’t have anyone who really fits his player profile, and they need shooting in the worst way. I have real doubts that there will be anyone, immediately better than him, available at #24. If I were in Atlanta, he’d be worth at least a high 2nd rounder to me, and I would consider Vezenkov, in trade, for next seasons 1st rounder from the Kings. Throw in the #38, and it’s a done deal.
The Kings traded the 49th pick in the draft and have spent over a year trying to court Vezenkov to come over and it’s still not a sure thing to happen this year. Olympiacos wants to keep him and Sasha enjoys his current situation. If another team traded for his rights it would reset the relationship. Availability not talent is the major reason Vezenkov’s rights has little value in a trade at this time. Sergio Llull was one of the best point guard in the world but his draft rights had little value.
Could include the Mavs at #3. I also heard that the Mavs are considering a trade for Harrison Barnes. I also understand Wood does not want to be a Maverick. Something interesting might happen here.
If a GM is refusing to trade Monk because it might make Fox disgruntled, then the GM is doing it wrong. A good GM trades Monk to make the team better around Fox and Sabonis. Winning cures all.
As to ATL taking this year’s #24, it’s because it’s bird in hand. There are no guarantees the Kings convey any first rounds picks to ATL. Those protections eventually turn into 2 second round picks in 2026 and 2027. Also, ATL is a bit barren in the pick cupboard after giving up a ton for Murray. They gave up 2 first round picks and a pick swap to the Spurs. This year’s #24 might be the best they get from the Kings.
I get the love for Monk, but I’m taking Hueter’s 6’7″ frame, superior shooting, and contract 7 days a week over Malik. HERE is a comparison of both players last year.
I just can’t see your point about right, and wrong ways to GM. It’s easy to cobble together a team on paper, but these are real people, with real feelings, and chemistry. I believe, in the real world, real GMs do understand these relationships do have real world consequences.
Everyone understands it’s a business, and Monte has shown himself to be a cold dude in the past (he smiles less than Keegan). All that being said, this situation is different, De’Aaron Fox is different. Good GM’s cater, almost exclusively, to franchise players.
Then shouldn’t Monte be asking Sabonis who he wants on the team?
In all seriousness, catering to Fox’s likes and dislikes is akin to the Knicks pandering to Julius Randle’s preferences. Fox has helped the Kings make the first round of the playoffs once in 6 seasons. We are not talking about a transformative future hall of fame player who makes this team a contender.
“We are not talking about a transformative future hall of fame player who makes this team a contender.”
None of us has a crystal ball. Steve Nash didn’t look like a future Hall of Famer five years into his career. We were debating here last offseason if Fox is a star on not (glad that argument is over). Last year, at this time, I might have said Domas is the Kings most valuable player. Tough to entertain that idea now, after his performance in the playoffs. Fox is the franchise player, full stop.
“Then shouldn’t Monte be asking Sabonis who he wants on the team?”
This isn’t really a fair analogy. We understand good GMs don’t ask their star players who to pursue, (except in LA). It’s another thing to give up on a player, who just went supernova, a matter of weeks ago, in a playoff game, against arguably the biggest dynasty in history. He’s proven himself, it’s not the same as asking Domas who might we take a flyer on. Also he’s the franchise players best friend, since childhood, and likely the best loved, most popular player on the team.
I love it, keep it going. I’ll be back later today.
I’m trying to come up with past parallels, (and maybe someone can help me here) when Kobe didn’t want to lose Ariza, LA was listening. I’m sure there were similar situations with Lebron, and Jordan. Fox isn’t quite an Icon yet, but I think he, along with the agents involved, have the FO’s attention.
Monk, Mitchell, Holmes 2026 first unprotected, 2028 first unprotected for OG and Thad Young.
Again, I know I’m in the minority, but I think you’re giving up too much for OG in a trade like this, especially given the possibility he can walk after a year.
Also, teams offered three firsts at the deadline for OG, so TOR is likely looking for two firsts and a pick swap and a young prospect.
In my mind, last year is different. OG is now on the final year of his contract. We also don’t know if those rumored 3 first round picks were unconditional or not.
I totally get the concern about OG walking next summer, and I’d hope Monte would have discussion with OG’s camp about it, but the good thing to keep in mind is the Kings would have OG’s full Bird Rights, just like they do with Sabonis. Monte can pay to keep both of them if he so wishes (and Vivek cuts the checks).
I also think it’s equally important to not that the Kings do not have full Bird Rights on Monk. They most they can offer his with their Early Bird Rights is 175% of his current contract at $9.9M. That means at most the Kings can offer Monk roughly $17.5M when he hits free agency next summer. For reference, the last two 6th men of the year winners (Brogdon and Herro) each make over $20M per year. This is another reason why I prefer keeping Huerter over Monk.
If what you say is right then would the starting lineup be Fox, Huerter, Anunoby, Murray(back at 4) and Sabonis. As a backup who would your shooting guard be? If you trade Huerter and picked up a FA like Washington at 4 then your starting lineup would be Fox, Anunoby, Murray(stays at 3 where he belongs) Washington at 4 and Sabonis. Your backup SG is now Monk.
PS Where do you include Mitchell in all of this?
Sounds really fair to me. Monk, likely, will take $17.5M next season to stay right here, comfortably in Sac.. In any case Monte should have an idea of what it’s going to take. If the # he’s looking for is out of reach, then your probably looking at trading him now, so your right. In that case, where he just won’t accept the max you can offer, there’s really no cause for hurt feelings, for Fox , or anyone. Monte did his best.
I like this but IMO I would keep Monk and insert Huerter and Mitcheel. If I heard is correct we could trade Holmes to the Mavs for Reggie Bullock.
Haven’t confirmed this rumor, but it’s not a crazy idea. Raptors probably would want a player and a pick. They might envision Scotty Barnes playing with Huerter the way Sabonis did last year, and they want to build around Scotty. I think Huerter has been good for the Kings overall but SG is a position of depth and getting OG without giving up too much might make the Kings a contender. Plus it would be a fun battle for the DPOG chain.
I would one million percent trade Red Velvet for OG straight up. Obviously Toronto would want more than that but I think its a deal that could be done with some appropriate current and future compensation along with it.
Trading MM, though, just no… he’s clearly Fox’s spirit animal and vice-versa.
Beal is heading to the Suns
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