Kings' Malik Monk Gives Update on Free Agency Stance

Sacramento's top pending free agent shares some encouraging words before he hits the market.

Mar 21, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk (0) dribbles against the Washington Wizards. / Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

The Sacramento Kings have had a rocky season filled with ups and downs, but the bright spots have shined through the rough patches. While they sit in eighth place in the Western Conference and are just a few losses away from being omitted from the playoffs altogether, Sacramento fans will be able to look back on the season and pick out some key moments and players.

One of the most significant parts of Sacramento's season has been the emergence of Malik Monk as the best backup guard in the NBA. The six-year veteran averages 15.4 points and 5.1 assists per game, emerging as the heavy favorite to take home the NBA Sixth Man of the Year award before getting injured.

Monk's MCL sprain has been a bummer for Sacramento as they inch closer to the postseason, as every game it becomes more apparent how valuable their sixth man truly is. With Monk likely out for the rest of the season, barring a deep postseason run by Sacramento, Kings fans realize they might have seen the pending free agent play his last game in a Kings uniform.

While it is not time for the off-season yet, the Kings must begin thinking about their off-season priority: re-signing Monk. What will it take for the Kings to keep their star sixth man in Sacramento?

Michael Scotto of HoopsHype spoke with Monk about his pending free agency and the possibility of staying in Sacramento.

“I’m comfortable in Sacramento.” Monk continues, “I’d love to play here again, for sure. I’ve been here for two years and made friends with everyone, including the training staff and front office. I’d love to be back here.”

While Monk does not give much assurance, it has been clear since he arrived how Monk enjoys being a King and how much he values the Sacramento fanbase. After such an impressive 2023-24 season, many believe Monk will be able to get paid much more by another franchise than what the Kings will be able to give him.

Kings fans know better than anybody how deserving a big contract would be for Monk, but if they had it their way, Monk would re-sign in Sacramento regardless. If Monk leaves in free agency for more money, nobody can blame him, but he has made it clear that he wants to be a King.

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