Could a starting role lure Malik Monk to the Detroit Pistons?

Jun 7, 2024, 8:06 AM

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - JANUARY 10: Malik Monk #0 of the Sacramento Kings reacts during the sec...

(Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Lead Editor & Kings Beat Writer

The Sacramento Kings will have their work cut out for them this summer once free agency begins.

Following two impressive seasons with the Beam Team, talented guard and key bench piece Malik Monk will enter free agency this summer, immediately applying pressure to a Kings front office that will be limited in what they can offer the Sixth Man of the Year runner-up.

According to The Athletic‘s Pistons writer James L. Edwards III, the Detroit Pistons could prioritize Monk in free agency as the team looks to add three-point shooting and self-created offense next to former first-overall pick Cade Cunningham.

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.

The Athletic’s James L. Edwards III – June 5, 2024

Edwards joined Kevin ‘Whitey’ Gleason and Kyle Draper on The Drive Guys this week to explain why Monk could be a target for the Pistons, why an offer from Detroit might entice the Kentucky product, and much more.

Topics Discussed

Edwards thinks Monk would address a lot of needs the Pistons will seek to improve this summer
“I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a starting role here for Malik Monk. It just seems like opportunity there for him.”
Would Monk play point guard or off-ball with Cunningham?
Sacramento will be limited in what they can offer Monk. What would an offer from Detroit look like?
“The floor is what the Kings can offer him. If you’re Detroit, you go to $23 million… The Pistons have $65 million in cap space. I think they could go up to 23 or 24 million, depending on how bad they want him.”
How far away is Detroit from being competitive?
What kind of pressure is on Pistons head coach Monty Williams next season?
Could Williams’ status as head coach play a role in Monk’s decision?

More on Malik Monk

In his second season with the Kings, Monk posted averages of 15.4 points (career-high), 2.9 rebounds, 5.1 assists (career-high), and 0.6 steals per game on 44 percent shooting from the field and 35 percent from three-point range over 72 games (26.0 minutes per appearance).

Monk’s growth as a playmaker made him a weapon for Sacramento’s offense, as the Kentucky product passed 2002-03 Sixth Man of the Year winner Bobby Jackson (629) for the most assists by a reserve in franchise history.

Among league leaders, Monk led all NBA reserves in the following categories:

Games with 5+ assists: 45
Games with 10+ points and 5+ assists: 34
Games with 15+ points: 38
Games with 20+ points: 25
Points Scored: 1,110
Assists: 370

Monk, who just completed the final year of his two-year, $19.4 million contract with the Kings, will enter free agency on June 30th.

Due to CBA rules, Sacramento will be limited in what it can offer Monk. This means that opposing teams could top the Kings’ max offer of $78 million over four years.

When is the next Sacramento Kings off-season date of interest?

The NBA Draft is now a two-night event.

Wednesday, June 26th, will act as the first night of the 2024 NBA Draft, where the Sacramento Kings will make their first-round selection (13th). The second round of the draft will be held on Thursday, June 27th, where the Kings will use its 45th overall pick.

Sacramento hasn’t had a first-round pick since 2022, when it selected Iowa product Keegan Murray with the fourth overall pick.

Stay locked into Sactown Sports for all of your Kings draft coverage, including player profiles, reports regarding pre-draft workouts, draft night coverage, and much more.

NBA Offseason Schedule