Kings May Have Tough Decision Encircling Malik Monk Next NBA Offseason

We may still be in the process of making our way through the current NBA offseason, but it might not be too early to look ahead into next summer to see what soon-to-come stories and set of circumstances teams across the league will need to deal with.

For the Sacramento Kings, the biggest may be retaining G Malik Monk. After coming over from the Los Angeles Lakers a year ago, Monk found an established role as a reserve with averages of 13.5 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 3.9 assists. Now, he enters the upcoming season on an expiring contract with the chance to be in for a big pay raise.

Monk is inked to a deal worth just under $10 million for the 2023-24 NBA season. If he has another successful season in the tank to be a leading contributor for Sacramento, that number will likely increase next July. It will be up to the Kings to prioritize bringing back Monk or use their open MLE to bring in an outside addition.

As told by Danny Leroux of The Athletic, it may be hard for GM Monte McNair to accomplish both with the money they have to work with:

"The Kings have around $20 million in wiggle room below the luxury tax, but that is probably not enough to retain Malik Monk using early Bird rights and sign a new addition with the projected $12.2 million non-taxpayer MLE. Unless ownership is willing to take a dip in the deep financial waters, expect GM Monty McNair to choose Monk or that MLE unless he finds a way to offload some money to open up enough flexibility to make both possible."

The hefty contracts signed by the All-NBA duo of G De’Aaron Fox and C Domantas Sabonis restrict Sacramento from making any massive splashes to add to this roster, but the flexibility to make tweaks around the edges will be at the risk of losing out on Monk.

June’s selection of G Colby Jones could present a possible replacement for Monk if the Kings went a different direction. He’s only 21 years old with the chance to soon develop into a valuable two-way wing. However, coming in as a second-round pick on a win-now roster may restrict him from having an immediate impact on this squad.

At the right price, all signs suggest Monk remaining in Sacramento if next season goes positively. Still, if a significant opportunity came across the desk of Monte McNair, it would not be a shock to see this front office make a move to try and build further upon this roster.

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