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