Malik Monk’s latest comments suggest desire to re-sign with Kings in the summer

After playing together at Kentucky, Malik Monk and De’Aaron Fox parted ways when they both entered the NBA in 2017 as lottery picks. Fox was selected fifth overall and became the new face of the Kings’ franchise. 

Monk went to Charlotte as the 11th pick, where he played for four seasons. In 2021, he made his way to Los Angeles, posting then-career-highs in pretty much every category, before coming to Sacramento. 

Once again reunited, the college friends put on a show for Kings fans almost every night, like in this clip. 

In many ways, their chemistry and energy are what make the Kings go. They both like to run, attack the rim, and set up their teammates. Both can take over games and come up big in the clutch. They do many of the same things but don’t cancel each other out. Instead, they form a lethal backcourt when they share the court.

Fox and Monk, as well as most Kings fans, would probably love it if they could play together forever. Unfortunately, that is not usually how things in the NBA go, and Monk will be a free agent after this season when his two-year deal with the Kings is up.

Since coming to Sacramento, Monk has been playing for a pay raise. He developed into a great playmaker and a legitimate Sixth Man of the Year candidate for the Kings. Once free agency rolls around, he will surely have many suitors. 

Keeping him around would be a great move for the Kings, and Monk’s latest comments suggest that there should be a mutual desire to get a new deal done. 

Malik Monk gives love to Sacramento in practice interview

On December 6 Monk was available for practice interviews and made some encouraging remarks about his tenure in Sacramento, suggesting that he might like an extended stay. 

“I was just waiting for a team to let me get this opportunity. Thankfully, it’s been Sacramento. I’m able to thrive in this scenario,” he said when asked about his level of comfort with the Kings. 

For any Kings fans wondering if Monk might go off to chase a starting spot somewhere over the summer, this is good news. Monk is indeed thriving in Sacramento, averaging career-highs in points and assists per game as well as competing for a major end-of-the-season award. 

Judging by his words, it seems that he is also content with his role. Later on, he added that “you gotta be in the right situation” to succeed in the NBA. For him, that situation appears to be with the Kings.