Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN has reported that Malik Monk will stay with the Kings for the upcoming season. This decision was confirmed by sources close to the situation, and Monk is expected to sign a four-year, $78 million contract with a player option for the final year. The Kings have offered Monk the maximum amount they can due to his status as an “Early Bird” free agent.
The signing of this new deal could potentially push the Kings into being a taxpayer next season, as Monk’s salary will be added to the books. With this in mind, Sacramento may need to consider shedding a contract, such as Sasha Vezenkov’s $6.6 million cap hit. Despite these financial considerations, Monk’s abilities as the Sixth Man of the Year runner-up in the 2023-24 NBA season make him a valuable asset to the team.
The Kings and Monk were able to begin negotiating as soon as the NBA Finals ended, thanks to new CBA rules. While an official contract cannot be signed until July 6th, this early start allows for plenty of time for general manager Monte McNair and the Kings to explore other moves in the offseason. From the upcoming NBA draft to free agency and potential trades, Sacramento has various avenues to improve their team even further.
