Kings’ Malik Monk On Trade Block

Sacramento recently removed Monk from its regular rotation and is said to be open to inquiries on practically anyone on its roster outside of fourth-year forward Keegan Murray and rookie guard Nique Clifford, so Haynes’ report comes as no real surprise. However, it’s confirmation that Monk is among the Kings players who are strong candidates to be on the move ahead of this season’s trade deadline.

Monk, who will turn 28 in February, has been in Sacramento since 2022 and has been a reliable source of scoring and play-making for the team, averaging 15.0 points, 4.6 assists, and 3.0 rebounds in 26.1 minutes per game across 238 total outings as a King. He has posted a .443/.350/.859 shooting line during that time and finished second in Sixth Man of the Year voting in 2024.

However, with the Kings off to a 7-22 start this season, head coach Doug Christie has made some changes in a crowded backcourt rotation, resulting in Monk receiving two DNP-CDs and playing just five total minutes in the team’s past three games.

Guards Russell Westbrook, Dennis Schröder, Keon Ellis, and Clifford have been playing regular minutes for the Kings as of late, with DeMar DeRozan also functioning as a two guard in a bigger starting lineup that features big men Maxime Raynaud and Precious Achiuwa up front.

Monk, who is earning roughly $18.8MM this season, has two more years left on his contract after this one. He’s owed a guaranteed $20.2MM salary in 2026/27 and holds a $21.6MM player option for ’27/28.

While Haynes doesn’t specify exactly what sort of return the Kings would be seeking in a trade for Monk, he says the club is looking to get younger and more athletic. DeRozan and Zach LaVine are also viewed as prime trade candidates in Sacramento, though LaVine’s maximum-salary contract is considered difficult to move.