Why Malik Monk’s Starting Spot on the Sacramento Kings Could Change Everything This Season

This is the dead time of year for deals, largely because this is the time of year when NBA front office personnel tend to be on vacation. Things start to ramp back up — both for potential trades and with the still unsigned restricted free agents — closer to the start of training camp in a month. Talk of a Monk trade could ramp up then, but this may be more of a case where training camp starts and the Kings wait out the market, taking their time to see if a team realizes it needs guard help, or an injury changes the dynamic somewhere. The Kings are deep with guards and would be looking for frontcourt help, as well as just remaining financially flexible in the future to reshape the roster (how much longer Zach LaVine and Domantas Sabonis are with the Kings is up for debate).

“After Sacramento explored various trade scenarios earlier this summer involving Malik Monk, league sources say that the Kings are not actively engaged in such trade talks now. The Kings have maintained an interest in unsigned free agent Russell Westbrook, sources say, but I’m told that they have indeed explored the possibility of creating a backcourt opening for Westbrook by other means rather than dealing Monk.”Sacramento’s been kicking the tires on Malik Monk all summer, juggling offers and eyeballing trades that haven’t exactly panned out. From being hinted at Detroit in a sign-and-trade shuffle for Dennis Schroder — which ultimately skipped Monk — to a failed attempt involving Jonathan Kuminga, the chatter’s slowed. Now, it looks like Monk might just be suiting up in Sacramento when the season tips off, which throws an interesting wrench into Russell Westbrook’s potential landing spot with the Kings. As Marc Stein dropped on The Stein Line, the front office is sitting tight on Monk for the time being, even while still keeping an eye on Westbrook — just trying to clear space elsewhere without moving Monk. It’s that awkward NBA offseason lull, with front offices half on vacay and half playing chess with limited pieces. While the Kings probably want to see if injuries or trade shifts open up a market for their guards, they’re also snug in the backcourt and more hungry for frontcourt pieces or long-term flexibility. What’s curious is the financial angle: Monk’s fat contract compared to a budget-friendly Westbrook deal could change the cap calculus, and that’s a puzzle the Kings are still solving. Monk’s not just filler either — last year’s numbers showed he can still dish out points and assists, despite a shaky three-point stroke. Start of the season looks like Monk’s home turf, but don’t be shocked if his court changes before the buzzer sounds. LEARN MOREAll summer long, the Sacramento Kings have explored the trade market for Malik Monk. He was linked to Detroit as part of a sign-and-trade to bring Dennis Schroder to Sacramento, but that deal got done without Monk. He was part of the Kings’ sign-and-trade offer for Jonathan Kuminga that never got done.Monk could provide guard depth for a lot of rotations around the league. Last season in Sacramento, Monk averaged 17.2 points and 5.6 assists a game. He’s a career 35% shooter from 3 who struggled some with that shot last season (32.5%).For the Kings, swapping out Monk for Westbrook would save money (Sacramento is about .1 million below the luxury tax line and hard-capped at the first apron, another million above that). Monk is entering the second year of a four-year, million contract and is set to make .8 million this season — a fair market contract for what he brings to the table (arguably even a team-friendly deal). Westbrook, however, is unlikely to receive more than a veteran minimum deal.

Monk trade talk seems to have faded. The Kings are not actively involved in any trade talks for Monk and he appears likely to start the season in the California capital, which may impact the future of Russell Westbrook, reports Marc Stein of The Stein Line on Substack.Monk may start the season in Sacramento, but it would be a surprise if he ends it there.