The Kings signed one of their top stars to a new contract.
On Thursday night, Malik Monk agreed to a four-year, $78 million contract that includes a player option. According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Kings, who failed to advance beyond the play-in round, had hoped the guard, who averaged career-highs of 15.4 points and 5.1 assists per game in 2023-24, would return during free agency.
They got their wish.
Monk, 26, was the runner-up for the league’s Sixth Man of the Year award after his impressive performance this season.
Monk could have started hearing from other teams starting June 30, when free agency officially begins and players can openly and legally communicate with teams on the open market.
On Wednesday, Kings guard De’Aaron Fox told reporters he hasn’t spoken to Monk about his free-agent decision since the season ended.
“I don’t really ask him about it. … I’m not sure.” Fox told ABC10.“We’re friends first. … I haven’t asked him anything about free agency.”
“Obviously with him being in this situation and multiple teams trying to pursue him, I’m definitely happy for him,” Fox added. “Obviously, we want him to stay, but at the end of the day, he’s got to do what’s best for himself.”
The upcoming season will be Monk’s third with Sacramento.
Monk spent four years in Charlotte after being selected by the Hornets in the first round (11th overall) of the 2017 NBA Draft, then played one season with the Lakers before joining the Kings.
