Even though the Sacramento Kings failed to make the playoffs this year, the team still boasts a roster filled with talented guys, such as Malik Monk. But for the seven-year veteran and the team’s primary sixth man, though, the coming months may be difficult due to choices he has to make regarding free agency.
Monk first entered the NBA as the Charlotte Hornets’ 11th overall pick in the 2017 Draft after an impressive year playing college basketball for Kentucky. And while his run a freshman garnered him the SEC Player and Freshman of the Year award, Monk’s rookie campaign was close to forgettable.
In the 63 games he played as a reserve for the Hornets, Monk averaged 6.7 points on 37 percent shooting from the field, 1.0 rebound, and 1.4 assists per game. Ultimately, Charlotte finished 10th in the Eastern Conference during the 2017-18 season with a 36-46 record.
After being suspended by the NBA due to substance use in 2020, Monk found himself reinstated as part of the Los Angeles Lakers a year later in 2021. From there, he would establish himself as a talented scorer from the bench, a role Monk has played well for the Kings in the past two seasons.
Sacramento Kings Star Malik Monk Gets Real On Upcoming NBA Free Agency Plans
Since the Kings failed to make the playoffs this year, the franchise’s focus is now on the offseason and how they can make the roster better. For his part, Monk is also facing a crossroads when free agency begins soon, as seen in a pair of tweets from Frankie Cartoscelli and James Ham on X:
Malik Monk understands that other teams can offer more money than the Kings–but that doesn’t necessarily mean he will go to the highest bidder. “I can go somewhere else with a lot more money and be in a worse situation. So you never know… I think it’s going to play out the right way,” Cartoscelli tweeted.
“Definitely.” -Malik Monk when asked if in a perfect world, he would want to be in Sacramento moving forward,” Ham posted.
Monk’s final year of his contract with the Kings was worth $9.9 million. As the shooting guard enters free agency, several teams in need of a talented sixth man who can provide instant offense will pursue him.
It remains to be seen how Monk’s free agency will play out in the coming months. Hopefully, the Sixth Man of the Year candidate will find a situation that’s good for him and his NBA career.
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