3 Reasons the Kings should pay Malik Monk in the summer
By Elaine Blum
![New Orleans Pelicans v Sacramento Kings: Quarterfinals - 2023 NBA In-Season Tournament New Orleans Pelicans v Sacramento Kings: Quarterfinals - 2023 NBA In-Season Tournament](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3600,h_2025,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/88/01hgx7mrt2j751je97v5.jpg)
1. His ability to take over games
De’Aaron Fox is great in the clutch. He can get a bucket pretty much at will when his team needs him to. He cannot save the Kings every single time, however. That's too much to ask even from your All-Star point guard.
Domantas Sabonis is an All-Star as well and carries a massive load offensively for the Kings. He scores, rebounds, and passes exceptionally well for a center. His impact is felt all over the court, but taking over games is not Sabonis’ style..
So, when Fox is out and the Kings just really need someone to grab the ball and get them a bucket, who do they turn to? It is not their All-Star center, veteran Harrison Barnes, or sharpshooter Keegan Murray.
It’s Malik Monk. Monk is third in scoring on the roster as of now, shooting 42.6 percent from the field and 42.4 percent from three. He is a reliable scorer from pretty much all levels, and he doesn’t need someone to set him up.
Monk can reliably create his own shot and keep a level head in clutch situations, an ability that has saved the Kings more than once already this season.
When Fox went down in the Kings’ first game against the Lakers, Monk scored 11 points in overtime to secure the win. When the Kings needed to beat the Warriors to move on to the next round of the In-Season Tournament, Monk hit a tough game-winner.
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The Kings need that ability in someone other than Fox because they cannot expect Fox to do everything every single game. Even the best players need a break sometimes, and Monk’s ability to take over games can provide that for Fox. When his former college teammate is not available, it becomes even more crucial.