Over the course of his first full season as the Sacramento Kings' head coach, Doug Christie has made several controversial decisions. A big one is limiting Malik Monk's play, something that is impacting the Kings' scoring efforts and could be making a difference in close games.
A former Sixth Man of the Year candidate, Monk has arguably been the Kings' most important bench player for the last few seasons. He's an absolute sparkplug, injecting high-energy offense the second he steps off the bench. He played a part in any success Sacramento has had in the last few seasons.
Things have changed under Christie's reign. There is a much stronger focus on defense, which isn't a bad thing on its own. The problem for Monk is that he isn't much of a defensive player. It's part of the reason he wasn't named Sixth Man of the Year in 2023-2024, and Naz Reid was.
Regardless, Monk is an impressive offensive threat when used correctly, but it's safe to say he isn't. Over the last couple of months, Monk has been increasingly relegated by Christie. His usage and minutes have both declined, and the impact on the offense is hard to ignore.
The fall of Malik Monk on the Kings
During the month of November, Monk was averaging 23.9 minutes per game while collecting 12.2 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists. That changed in December. He fell to 18.1 minutes with 9.4 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.4 assists. Despite the drop in minutes, he remained rather productive.
Monk didn't open 2026 with an improvement in usage, either. Against the Celtics, he only played 6+ minutes, shot zero for two from the field, and picked up a total of one assist. It wasn't his best game, but that's not completely his fault. The Kings just aren't putting him to work anymore.
Field goal attempts between November and December dropped rather dramatically for Monk, from 10.9 per game to 8.1. He's not being set up for success the way he used to. It's too bad because the Kings could really use his scoring in some of these closer losses.
The reality is that Monk's lack of defensive play doesn't fit Christie's vision, and the Kings are looking to trade him. Until a move can be made, Monk will spend less and less time on the court and will be used infrequently when he's out there. It's unfortunate to see that happen to a respected player.