Sacramento is once again trying to move guard Malik Monk before the start of the 2025-26 season, a league source told Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal.
The Kings’ primary motivation, according to the report, is to clear backcourt space and cap room to sign free-agent veteran Russell Westbrook. Sacramento envisions the 36-year-old as the sixth man behind newly acquired starting point guard Dennis Schröder.
Monk’s name has surfaced in trade discussions since before free agency opened. In late June, Sacramento was already gauging interest in the 27-year-old and fellow guard Devin Carter. During the early days of free agency, Monk was linked to Detroit in a potential sign-and-trade for Schröder, but the Pistons and Kings ultimately completed the deal without involving Monk. Schröder arrived in Sacramento via an existing traded-player exception, while Detroit created a new exception by not taking back salary.
The Kings have also included Monk in an offer to the Warriors for restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga. Golden State, however, has balked at absorbing Monk’s contract—an $18.8 million cap hit this season and $60.6 million over three years. A sign-and-trade featuring Monk would either hard-cap the Warriors at the first tax apron or force them to add another mid-sized contract, complicating roster construction.
Monk averaged a career-best 17.2 points last season and finished second in the 2024 Sixth Man of the Year voting. Despite his production and age advantage over Westbrook, Sacramento’s pursuit of the former MVP has persisted since early July.
This offseason also marked a front-office overhaul for the Kings. Scott Perry replaced former general manager Monte McNair in the spring, and the new decision-maker was not involved in Monk’s original acquisition or subsequent contract extension.
Source: Hoops Rumors
