As we've discussed numerous times on this website, the Sacramento Kings need to do everything they can to resign Malik Monk (and also need to make sure they have a sound backup plan if they can't).
However, it seems that there is one team that is dead set on making sure that this dream doesn't become a reality. And that team would be none other than the Detroit Pistons.
Detroit Pistons insider @JLEdwardsIII expects the Pistons to ‘heavily’ pursue Nic Claxton and Malik Monk
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 5, 2024
“As for other realistic free-agent options, I think Detroit goes heavily after the likes of Malik Monk, Nic Claxton and Gary Harris. Monk feels like someone the Pistons will… pic.twitter.com/sAhVyqu34Q
"“As for other realistic free-agent options, I think Detroit goes heavily after the likes of Malik Monk, Nic Claxton and Gary Harris. Monk feels like someone the Pistons will heavily prioritize due to the team’s need for legitimate 3-point shooting and off-the-dribble shot creation.”"James Edwards, The Athletic
As Edwards reported, the Pistons are very interested in Monk's ability to play on and off the ball. He can flank Cade Cunningham when the two share the court. Then, when the former first overall pick is getting a breather, Monk can pick up the slack in his absence. Last year, the Pistons' offense was legitimately awful when Cunningham was on the bench (not that it was much better when he was on the floor, though).
But why would Monk want to leave the team that helped reinvigorate his career for the downtrodden Pistons? One word: money.
Given the way the salary cap works, the Kings can only offer him a 4-year, 77.7-million dollar contract (since they only have his Early Bird rights). Meanwhile, the Pistons, who are projected to have roughly 65 million dollars in cap space this offseason (as mentioned by Edwards in his article), could easily put together a 4-year, 100-million dollar offer (if not more).
For those who dislike doing math, that is an average annual value (AAV) of 25 million dollars, compared to the AAV of 19.4 million Monk would be getting if he stayed in Sacramento.
Now, this isn't to say that Monk is for sure on his way out. There is a lot more to this decision-making process than money. Monk loves it here. He plays with his best friend (De'Aaron Fox), and this city is obsessed with him. All that matters.
But the Pistons want him bad. And they have enough money available to make it worth his while.