Kevin Huerter & Malik Monk Introductory Press Conference Quotes & Takeaways

Sacramento Kings general manager Monte McNair introduced the newest members of the team–guards Kevin Huerter and Malik Monk–on Friday afternoon during a press conference at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“We’re certainly thrilled. With Malik, using our mid-level and being aggressive, with Kevin, using a 1st round pick to acquire him, we felt good about our options as we got into July,” McNair said of acquiring the guards during Friday’s press conference.

Your newest @SacramentoKings pic.twitter.com/0zW6qY81iS

— Jason Ross (@JasonRoss1140) July 8, 2022

Monk, a former college teammate of Sacramento’s franchise guard De’Aaron Fox at Kentucky during the 2016-17 season, enjoyed a breakout season with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2021-22.

“I’m ready to play with my teammate. My brother,” Monk said of reuniting with Fox in Sacramento.

Over 76 games, Monk averaged career-highs across the board: 13.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 0.8 steals per game. The 6’3 guard also shot a career-best 47 percent from the field to go along with a very efficient 39 percent rate from beyond the three-point stripe.

Of course, for a new head coach Mike Brown’s team, defense is going to be a priority–an aspect of his game that Monk made clear he intends to improve on.

“I need to do more on the defensive end. One of the first things that Monte, Mike (Brown), and everybody told me when they called was that I have to pick it up on the defensive end,” Monk said of which aspect of his game he hopes to improve the most next season. “I think that’s what I’m going to carry over last year that I didn’t do.”

Along with Monk’s aspirations to improve his defensive presence, Huerter shared that he envisions himself playing all over the floor in a variety of positions, citing that basketball today is ‘position-less.”

"The NBA is positionless. I can guard 1-4, however that fits. Playing the 2,3,4 I'm cool with it." – Kevin Huerter on which position suits him best

— Frankie Cartoscelli (@FCartoscelli3) July 8, 2022

Huerter, 23, is a 6’7 guard that can knock down looks on the perimeter and create off of the dribble on the offensive end, but the Kings will hope to tap into the guard-forward combo’s defensive side.

Over 74 games during the 2021-22 season, the Maryland product averaged 12.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 0.7 steals per game on 45 percent shooting from the field and 38 percent shooting from beyond the arc.

With Monk and Huerter in the fold for next year, McNair told reporters that he doesn’t believe that his offseason is over.

"We don't think that we're done." – Sacramento Kings GM Monte McNair on the potential to make more moves after adding Malik Monk & Kevin Huerter to the roster

— Frankie Cartoscelli (@FCartoscelli3) July 8, 2022

NBA Summer League in Las Vegas is also a meeting place for all 30 teams’ general managers and executives, meaning that there could be a wild week ahead in the desert.

Quotes

"There's no reason that we shouldn't be in the mix." – Kevin Huerter on ending Sacramento's 16-season postseason drought

— Frankie Cartoscelli (@FCartoscelli3) July 8, 2022

Kevin Huerter says that he's on board with the 'Red Velvet' nickname following him to Sacramento. pic.twitter.com/7vmXcHrnHV

— Frankie Cartoscelli (@FCartoscelli3) July 8, 2022

"I'm ready to play with my teammate. My brother." – Kings guard Malik Monk on playing with former Kentucky teammate De'Aaron Fox

— Frankie Cartoscelli (@FCartoscelli3) July 8, 2022

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