Drafted in 2017 by the Charlotte Hornets, Malik Monk has been in the league for almost a decade at this point. That includes a season with the Los Angeles Lakers before heading north to play with the Sacramento Kings.
Monk's years with the Kings have been some of his best. He puts up solid numbers as a shooting guard, showing his versatility both from the three point line and as a playmaker. In theory, he should be a protected roster member.
If he has been a reasonably reliable and skilled player for the Kings, the question on everyone's minds is why are they trying to trade him. The answer is Russell Westbrook.
The Kings want Russell Westbrook
It has been widely reported that the Kings are trying to trade Malik Monk, or possibly Devin Carter, to open up a spot for Russell Westbrook. The multi-time All-Star, former league MVP, and two-time scoring champion is an unrestricted free agent. So far, no one in the league is interested, though.
Westbrook has been in the league long enough that he was drafted by the SuperSonics. His career is winding down and it shows in his gameplay. Additionally, he's either a locker room leader or locker room poison, depending on who you ask and what day it is.
The consensus around most league front offices is that Westbrook's time in the NBA is over, even if he doesn't realize it. Sacramento is the only one pursuing him and they're willing to give up a much younger star entering his prime to get him.
Malik Monk will be in a different jersey soon
No teams have shown interest in taking Monk of the Sacramento's hands. It could be that the asking price is too high or that the Kings are the only team in the league comfortable with a roster basically dominated by guards.
Whatever the reasons are, the Kings still seem to have trading Malik on their minds, something Monk has to be aware of. As such, he probably wouldn't mind moving to a team that appreciates him.
However it plays out, it wouldn't be shocking to see Monk traded midseason before the deadline in 2026. It seems less and less likely the trade will go down before the season starts, so fans will see Monk in a Kings jersey one last time.
Just don't expect him to be wearing it when the 2025-2026 season is over.