Malik Monk ‘Foolish’ to Leave Kings in Free Agency Per NBA Pundit
The Sacramento Kings may be in the middle of the regular season and preparing to gear up for the postseason, but it's never too early to look ahead to what's in store for the team summer. While fans can rest well at night knowing their two All-Star-caliber players of De'Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis are in town to stay long-term, Sixth Man of the Year candidate Malik Monk has a bit of an uncertain future as he hits unrestricted free agency.
The seven-year veteran guard is current on the last year of his deal making $9.9 million this season, but should be in for a payday based on the production he's put forth this season. And while that next contract could come from another team coveting his services, a departure may not be within Monk's best interest moving forward.
Bleacher Report's Mo Dakhil advocates for Monk to stay put in Sacramento past this summer, crediting his "perfect position" as the Kings' sixth man giving him all the reason to return:
There will be a nice, healthy market for a player like Monk in free agency. He could get a ridiculous offer that Sacramento may not want to match. Could he keep playing at the same high level if he goes somewhere else? There is a history of players chasing roles and money and those pursuits ending poorly. If the money is close or equal, Monk should stay in Sacramento. He is in the perfect position, and coming off the bench could add more hardware to his mantle. More importantly, he is a pivotal piece for a team that he is already comfortable with.
Monk has had an electric second season as a part of the Kings. In his 55 games off the bench, he's posted 15.2 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 5.2 assists on 44.9/37.2/82.2 splits. He's been a critical cog in Sacramento's second unit, ranking third on the team in points per game.
Overall, it's been a career year for Monk. He's got career-high numbers in points and assists per game, also surging in odds to win Sixth Man of the Year, now leading the entire pool at -115, per Fox Sports.
According to earlier reports, Monk could be a player to "chase money" during the upcoming free agency period. While sticking as a sixth man in Sacramento would keep him in a sustainable and productive role, another team coming in to offer a substantial contract number could be enough to pry him away. If the whispers are true, the Kings may have to reach deep in their pockets to keep the Kentucky product around for the long haul.
While the offseason is still a ways away, keep a keen eye on what the future holds for Monk. If Sacramento loses out on their spark plug off the bench this summer, it could mean trouble.
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