A Royal Pain
Fansided

1 Overpaid and 2 underpaid Kings players heading into next season

By Elaine Blum

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 18: Malik Monk #0 of the Sacramento Kings celebrates with Terence Davis #3 during the game against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on March 18, 2023 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 18: Malik Monk #0 of the Sacramento Kings celebrates with Terence Davis #3 during the game against the Washington Wizards at Capital One Arena on March 18, 2023 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images) /
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While the Kings’ offseason was much less drama-filled than those some other teams had to endure, they still made plenty of moves. They re-signed Domantas Sabonis, Harrison Barnes, Trey Lyles, and Alex Len, traded for Chris Duarte, got JaVale McGee in free agency, signed Sasha Vezenkov, drafted Colby Jones, and inked Keon Ellis, Jalen Slawson, and Jordan Ford to two-way deals among other moves.

Most of these were good decisions. The Kings needed frontcourt depth, Lyles was a key piece on last season’s team, and the starting five is now locked up through the 2025-26 season.

When it comes to money, however, not all of these contracts are perfect. So, let’s look at one overpaid and two underpaid Kings heading into the 2023-24 season.

Underpaid player #1: Malik Monk

In July 2022, Malik Monk signed a two-year $19 million deal with the Kings and is set to make $9,045,830 for the 2023-24 season. That makes him the fifth-highest-paid player on the Kings’ roster, but there is a big drop off from Kevin Huerter’s $15,669,643 to Monk’s salary.

Last season, Monk averaged 13.5 points on solid shooting, 2.6 rebounds, and 3.9 assists in 22.3 minutes per game. He was their spark off the bench, often closed games, and played well in the playoffs. It was the first postseason run in his career, but he still averaged 19 points and had some impressive performances, including his 28 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks, and 1 steal in a big Game 6 win over the Warriors.

Due to his contribution to the Kings’ success, Monk finished fifth in Sixth Man of the Year voting behind Malcolm Brogdon, Immanuel Quickley, Bobby Portis, and Norman Powell. If you compare Monk’s salary to those of the other finalists for the award, he seems rather underpaid.

Out of Brodgon, Quickley, Portis, Larry Nance Jr., Powel, Russell Westbrook, and Austin Reaves, Quickley and Westbrook are the only other players to earn less than $10 million this upcoming season. Quickley is still on his rookie deal, however, and Westbrook is also crazily underpaid, so where does that leave Monk?

Most of these players recorded similar numbers to Monk last season and yet there is a significant pay gap. Brogdon, for example, shot significantly better from three than Monk but also played fewer games and only averaged around one point more. Nevertheless, he will earn over $22 million in 2023-24 compared to Monk’s salary, which doesn’t quite yet scratch the $10 million mark.

All this is pointing to the fact that the Kings’ sixth man has outplayed his current contract and is indeed underpaid. We shouldn’t expect him to make quite as much money as Brogdon, but once he hits free agency this summer, a pay raise should be coming his way.

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