Malik Monk Will Remain With Sacramento Kings, Who Have Maintained Interest in Russell Westbrook

Malik Monk will remain with the Sacramento Kings, who have maintained interest in Russell Westbrook, according to NBA insider Marc Stein of The Stein Line.

Westbrook, who played for the Denver Nuggets last season, is an unrestricted free agent.

“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,” Stein wrote. “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.

“Monk is said to have made a positive impression in Sacramento not only with his play but how he has embraced his role and the franchise as a King.”

Monk appeared in 65 games for the Kings last season. He averaged 17.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.6 blocks while shooting 43.9% from the field, 32.5% from beyond the arc and 86.5% from the free-throw line.

The 27-year-old Monk will make $18.8 million next season. The Kings offered the shooting guard to the Golden State Warriors for restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga, but the Warriors declined the offer.

Westbrook played in 75 games for the Nuggets in 2024-25. The future Hall of Famer averaged 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.5 blocks while shooting 44.9% from the field, 32.3% from beyond the arc and 66.1% from the free-throw line.

The Kings are the only team interested in Westbrook, who turns 37 in November.

Sacramento missed the 2025 playoffs. De’Aaron Fox was traded to the San Antonio Spurs in February in a three-team deal with the Chicago Bulls. The Kings acquired Zach LaVine from the Bulls.

This offseason, Sacramento acquired Dennis Schröder from the Detroit Pistons in a sign-and-trade deal, traded Jonas Valančiūnas to the Nuggets for Dario Šarić and signed Drew Eubanks.

The Kings also re-signed Doug McDermott.