Sacramento Kings shooting guard Malik Monk is enjoying a career year this season. In 66 games, Monk is averaging 15.9 points and 5.3 assists per game. Furthermore, the Kentucky alum is shooting 45% from the field and 36.6% from the three-point line. Currently, Monk (-275) is the betting favorite to win this year’s NBA Sixth Man of the Year award. In large part due to Monk’s impressive season, the 39-28 Kings will likely make the playoffs and are a dark horse to make a deep run in the Western Conference. However, the 26-year-old will hit unrestricted free agency this summer. After what has been a great season for him so far, Monk will likely be a hot commodity this offseason. Fortunately for Kings fans, Monk has made it known he would like to remain in Sacramento:
“Depends on what we do in the postseason, as well,” Malik Monk said. “But I’d love to be here, man. Got comfortable here. Made a lot of new friends, met a lot of great people. The city loves me. I love the city. “So, yeah, I’d love to come back.”
Monk signed a two-year deal with the Kings in 2022. This move reunited Monk with his Kentucky teammate, De’Aaron Fox.
A RIDICULOUS one-handed lob finish from Malik Monk off a De’Aaron Fox pass. pic.twitter.com/LgdRFwlRYh
— Brenden Nunes (@BrendenNunesNBA) March 8, 2024
Impending NBA Free Agent Makes Preferred Destination Clear
Malik Monk’s Quest for Sixth Man of the Year
In his first season with the Kings last year, Monk was in the running for the Sixth Man of the Year award. This award was ultimately won by Malcolm Brogdon, then of the Boston Celtics. However, despite not finishing in the top three of voting for the award, Monk has said he believes he should have won the award last year.
Furthermore, Fox has recently endorsed Monk for the award, saying the race shouldn’t be a close one:
“I don’t even think it should be close honestly,” Fox said after the game, via Matt George of ABC10 in Sacramento. “I think he’s long and away the frontrunner for Sixth Man of the Year.”
As it stands, Monk will likely take home the award he felt he should have won last season.
Bench players to average 15+ PPG and 5+ APG in a season since 2000:
— 2019 Sixth Man of the Year
— 2018 Sixth Man of the YearAnd Malik Monk this season. pic.twitter.com/887I82F9XS
— StatMuse (@statmuse) March 19, 2024
The Last Word on Malik Monk
Since joining the league in 2017, Monk has been a reliable and consistent scorer. With the Kings, however, he has clearly advanced to another level. Monk has turned into arguably the best bench player in the league who can score from anywhere on the court. Furthermore, his athleticism and general explosiveness have been a huge boost for the Kings. Monk is an important piece of the Kings’ rotation, and it seems he enjoys playing for the team as well. As it stands, it’s likely Monk will be heavily pursued this offseason. However, a Monk-Kings reunion this summer should be a no-brainer for both sides.
