Malik Monk’s move to the starting lineup is already benefiting Sacramento

Dec 10, 2024, 9:46 AM | Updated: 9:50 am

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 03: Malik Monk #0 of the Sacramento Kings dribbles against the Ho...

(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Lead Editor & Kings Beat Writer

As valuable as Malik Monk has been for the Sacramento Kings in a reserve role over the years, he’s already proving his worth as a starter.

Monk, who came off the bench for his first 162 games in a Kings uniform, was inserted into the starting lineup by head coach Mike Brown ahead of December 1st’s game against the San Antonio Spurs.

It was a surprising switch from Brown, who has often spoken of the stability that Monk, last year’s runner-up for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award, brings to a Sacramento roster that is top-five heavy.

Upon re-signing with the Kings on a four-year, $78 million deal in the offseason–one that surprised many, as Monk left money on the table elsewhere to remain in a familiar setting in Sacramento–Monk told the media that he trusted Brown’s decision-making and would come off of the bench if that’s what Brown felt best, but added that he would speak up if he thought a change was needed.

It didn’t take Monk speaking up for Brown to rip the band-aid off and plug Monk into the starting lineup, not when the Kings were struggling to a 9-11 start that had many in and around the organization feeling the pressure.

Through five games, Monk has been a seamless fit in a starting group that features himself, longtime running mate De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan, and Keegan Murray.

More on Malik Monk

Not only has Sacramento won its past two games by 27 points or more, but they’ve done so with a high-powered and high-movement offense that put the Kings back on the NBA map two seasons ago.

By replacing Kevin Huerter and Keon Ellis in the second starting guard spot, Brown has plugged in another offensive hub in Monk, who can create for teammates while also searching for opportunities to self-create offense.

Through five games in a starting role, Monk is averaging 19.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 6.4 assists on 47 percent shooting from the field and 43 percent from beyond the three-point line (8.4 attempts per game).

After logging 24.1 minutes per game during his first two seasons in Sacramento, Monk has seen his playing time bump to 32.8 minutes per game in a starting role. Of course, Brown isn’t left with much flexibility, as the Kings will enter play on Thursday with the NBA’s fourth-worst scoring bench in the league (27.0 points per game).

The recent emergence of Kevin Huerter (15.3 points on 50% shooting from deep over the past four games) in Monk’s former Sixth Man role has benefited Sacramento’s thin second unit, adding to Monk’s early impact in a new setting.

During the 20 games of the season, the Kings lacked ball movement and fluidity on the offensive end. Three-pointers weren’t falling, and possessions often ended in ISO situations–but not as of late.

Sacramento’s offense over the first 20 games of the season:

113.7 PTS | 48% FG | 33% 3PT | 24.5 AST

Sacramento’s offense after moving Malik Monk into the starting lineup:

127.2 PTS | 50% FG | 41% 3PT | 31.2 AST pic.twitter.com/ON08o4hIZa

— Frankie Cartoscelli (@FCartoscelli3) December 10, 2024

Sacramento averaged 24.5 assists per game over the first 20 games. With Monk in the starting lineup, that average has ballooned to 31.2. Sunday’s win over the Utah Jazz featured a season-high 39-assist outing from the Kings’ offense, with Sacramento also shooting 50 percent from downtown.

Monk’s two-man game with Domantas Sabonis has been lethal, and the big man has benefited by scoring 22.0 points per game on 60 percent shooting from the field since Monk’s arrival in the starting unit.

In short, the Kings have looked like a different team since the calendar turned to December.

Since December 1st (Monk’s first start), Sacramento has led the NBA in points scored (636) and is second in assists (156), only trailing the Denver Nuggets.

The Kings’ offensive rating of 126.9 since December 1st also leads the league, while they also hold top-five spots in assist-to-turnover ratio (3.0, 1st), net rating (15.2, 3rd), and field goal percentage (50.2%, 4th).

It’s early in Monk’s tenure as a starter, but if he can continue to be another offensive hub alongside Fox, Sabonis, and DeRozan—and if Huerter can continue to provide a boost off the bench—Sacramento might just have its winning formula as they look to put a poor start to the season behind them.

When is the next Sacramento Kings game?

With the NBA Cup’s knockout stage set to begin next week, Sacramento will play just one game over the next seven days, providing Mike Brown’s group a chance to regroup and get some much-needed practice.

The Kings’ lone game this week will be against the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday night at the Smoothie King Center, the building that witnessed the end of Sacramento’s season in the Play-In Tournament just eight months ago.

New Orleans has been the Kings’ worst nightmare lately, going 6-0 against Sacramento last season.

Be sure to catch all of the Kings vs. Pelicans action right here on Sactown Sports 1140 AM, with pregame coverage starting at 2:00 PM PT on The Drive Guys before action tips off at 5:00 PM PT from New Orleans.