Kings Reportedly End Trade Talks Around $77 Million Guard, Maintain Interest in Russell Westbrook

With these additions plus their core of Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine returning next season, the Kings are hopeful they can make the playoffs in the loaded Western Conference.

Despite this, Sacramento has still been linked to many players, including Russell Westbrook, as they try to upgrade their roster heading into next season.

Kings no longer shopping Malik Monk

It has been reported that the Kings are interested in signing Westbrook in free agency, though they would have to move a player to free up a roster spot.

While it was reported last week that the Kings were looking to move Malik Monk to free up a roster spot for Westbrook, NBA insider Marc Stein reported on Sunday that Sacramento is no longer shopping Monk in trade talks.

This is a massive report by Stein who also reported that the Kings are still exploring different paths to sign Westbrook in free agency that do not include trading Monk.

Of course, Monk is coming off the best season of his NBA career where he posted career highs in points, rebounds and assists per game and while the Kings were looking to take advantage of his increased trade value, it appears as though he will remain on their roster entering next season.

Because of this, the Kings will now have to find another way to add Westbrook in free agency and they do have some different routes to choose from.

How Kings can still land Westbrook without trading Monk

The Kings could elect to trade another one of their players to open a roster space to sign Westbrook or they could just cut one of their players.

If they choose to cut one of the players on their roster, it is likely that Terence Davis will be the odd man out as his contract is not guaranteed for next season.

Either way, it appears as though the Kings are desperately trying to sign Westbrook in free agency without moving on from one their best scorer in Monk heading into next season.