What does Malik Monk's arrival mean for Sacramento Kings?

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We have a signing.

In the opening moments of the 2022 NBA free agency window, the Sacramento Kings made their first big move. According to a league source, Lakers shooting guard Malik Monk agreed to a two-year, $19 million contract with the team. ESPN 1320’s Damien Barling was first with the news.

Monk is an interesting addition to the Kings’ squad. Taken with the No. 11 pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, the 24-year-old guard struggled to find his footing early in his career with the Charlotte Hornets.

After signing a minimum scale contract with the Los Angeles Lakers last summer, the 24-year-old turned the corner, posting 13.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 28 minutes per game. 

What does this signing mean?

First and foremost, it is the official end of Donte DiVincenzo’s run in Sacramento. Kings general manager Monte McNair chose not to extend a qualifying offer to DiVincenzo on Wednesday, which allowed him to become an unrestricted free agent. 

The Kings still hold Larry Bird rights on DiVincenzo, but they have plenty of other holes in their roster and very little cap space to work with. 

Whether Monk is a starter on day one in Sacramento or a sixth man firing away off the bench, he fits a major need. He shot 39.1 percent from 3-point range on 5.8 attempts per game last season with the Lakers and has developed into a big-time perimeter threat. 

In addition to an elite skill, Monk is also very familiar with De’Aaron Fox. The two combined to create an incredible backcourt at Kentucky and they already have major oncourt chemistry. Monk turned to instagram following the news to drop in a memory.

What issues might this create?

The Kings are one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA. The initial thought is that Monk won’t help this issue.

At 6-foot-3, 200-pounds, Monk is a smaller two guard, but his stats via synergy last season in LA are better than expected. 

Overall, Monk ranked in the 75 percentile, holding his opponent to just .884 points per possession. He ranks good (62th percentile) against the pick-and-roll ball handler, excellent (90th percentile) against the handoffs, very good (70th percentile) off of screens and good (61st percentile) in isolation.

Against jump shots off the dribble, Monk earned an excellent ranking, holding his opponent to just .698 points per possession in 182 opportunities. He was particularly good against 3-point shots where he ranked in the 81st percentile, allowing just .943 points per possession. 

None of the stats listed above are anywhere near Monk’s career numbers. Either a light bulb went off in his fifth NBA season or the rotations he played in with the Lakers surrounded him with players who helped mask some of his weaknesses. 

If he is an NBA average or better defender, then the Kings have a starter. If he regresses back to his previous marks, then he’s a solid scorer off the bench. Either way, the commitment is moderate and there is still plenty of upside.

What happens next?

This is where things get fuzzy for the Kings. Sacramento added Keegan Murray during the draft and now Monk. They lost Damian Jones on the first day of free agency to the Lakers and DiVincenzo is likely out the door as well.

At this moment, the Kings are out of cap space. They have the bi-annual exception, which starts at $4.1 million. They also have a portion of the mid-level exception, although it can’t be much after signing Monk. Lastly, the Kings have the ability to sign players to league minimum contracts.

After picking up a team option on Trey Lyles and guaranteeing Chimezie Metu’s final year, Sacramento now has 13 players under contract. 

McNair has plenty of work to do if he hopes for the Kings to compete for a playoff spot this season, but the focus now shifts to the trade market.

Sacramento continues to be mentioned in a potential John Collins trade with the Atlanta Hawks, but sources confirm that the Kings are trailing in that chase. 

McNair has plenty of draft capital, including all of his future first round picks and a bunch of seconds. He also has $40 million in expiring contracts to work with. The question is whether he can close another Domantas Sabonis type trade that puts the team in the playoff conversation. 

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