4 Free agents who should be on the Kings’ summer wish list

It became clear early in the season that the Kings have holes on the roster they need to fix before they can be a contender in the West. The bench is unreliable, they need more defense, and when De’Aaron Fox is out things look bleak offensively. 

Fans were waiting to hear big news—or any news—at the trade deadline, but nothing happened. So, the front office has plenty of work to do over the summer. 

Unfortunately, free agency might not be enough to make all the necessary adjustments. Sacramento is not usually a free-agent destination, and the team’s financial situation would make it difficult to sign a big name. 

There are options for small deals to boost the team’s depth, however, so let’s look at four free agents who should be on the Kings’ summer wish list. 

4. Malik Monk

Malik Monk is in the last year of his contract and will be an unrestricted free agent in the summer, which poses a tricky question for the Kings. Having his best statistical season yet, especially as a playmaker, the Sixth Man of the Year candidate is due for a pay raise. 

Do the Kings give it to him or let him walk and hope to get someone else instead? In my mind, they should do everything in their power to try and keep Monk around. He is their most reliable backup ball handler and bench scorer. Monk always brings energy off the bench that is tough to replace and is the only King other than De’Aaron Fox who can reliably go and get a bucket at will. 

Plus, Monk and Fox are close, so resigning him should please the Kings’ star guard. Obviously, Monk will have to want to stay, and Bleacher Report’s Mo Dakhil declared it would be foolish for the 26-year-old to leave Sacramento. He has blossomed with the Kings. While he could be a starter somewhere else, it might not be as great a fit.