Awards watch: Which trophies could the Kings take home this season?

Sixth Man of the Year

The Sixth Man of the Year award is given out to the bench player who had the biggest impact throughout the season. For the Kings, that is Malik Monk, and he has a legitimate case to win the award.

Averaging 14.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, and 5.2 assists per game, he is playing some of his best basketball, especially as a playmaker, and is a difference-maker for the Kings. 

His competition for the award is Austin Reaves, Tim Hardaway Jr., Cole Anthony, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Naz Reid, among others. Almost all of them average more points than Monk, but he is one of the best playmakers off the bench, and not all of the other candidates impact winning on the same level as he does.

It will be tough for Monk to get the recognition he deserves, however, when players from bigger markets, like Reaves, are also playing great off the bench.

Rookie of the Year

The Kings have some rookies, and Sasha Vezenkov has been playing okay for them, but he is not winning the award. Between Chet Holmgren and Victor Wembanyama, no Kings rookie (or barely any other rookies for that matter) has a shot at the award.

Clutch Player of the Year

The Clutch Player of the Year award was first given out last season, and De’Aaron Fox became the inaugural winner. He is still one of the top clutch players in the league, averaging the fifth-most points in the fourth quarter. 

So far, not too many of the Kings’ games have come down to clutch plays, but that can still change. When the Kings need to win it in the clutch, they are well equipped with Fox and Monk. 

Both can take over games and get a bucket when the team most needs them. Being the bigger star of the two, Fox gets more recognition, though, and would be considered first for the award. 

This is one of the harder awards to predict, but the Kings have a chance to take it home.