Malik Monk played for the Los Angeles Lakers during the 2021-22 NBA season and became a fan favorite, which is why it was difficult for purple and gold fans to see the combo guard sign with the rival Sacramento Kings in 2022.
The Lakers’ bench is pretty weak outside of Marcus Smart and Jarred Vanderbilt, which is why one NBA writer believes Monk returning to Los Angeles would be a smart play.
Jacob Rude of SB Nation’s Silver Screen and Roll created the following trade idea between the Lakers and Kings:
Sacramento Kings get: Gabe Vincent, Maxi Kleber, lottery-protected 2031 first-round pick
Los Angeles Lakers get: Malik Monk
The Kings have been trying to trade Monk to open up a spot for former Lakers point guard Russell Westbrook, who is an unrestricted free agent. Sacramento wants to sign Westbrook and bring the former NBA MVP off the bench as its sixth man behind another former Los Angeles player, Dennis Schröder.
Monk appeared in 65 games for the Kings last season. He averaged 17.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 0.9 steals and 0.6 blocks while shooting 43.9% from the field, 32.5% from beyond the arc and 86.5% from the free-throw line.
The 27-year-old Monk will make $18.8 million next season. He has career averages of 12.3 points, 2.6 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 0.6 steals and 0.3 blocks with the Charlotte Hornets, Lakers and Kings.
The Lakers lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round of the 2025 playoffs in five games, while the Kings missed the postseason.
Los Angeles added Jake LaRavia, Deandre Ayton and Smart this offseason. Luka Dončić recruited Ayton and Smart to the Lakers.
Meanwhile, Sacramento acquired Schröder from the Detroit Pistons and Dario Šarić from the Denver Nuggets.
It will be intriguing to see if the Lakers make a trade before next season begins. Rob Pelinka hasn’t made an offseason trade since 2022, when he traded Stanley Johnson and Talen Horton-Tucker to the Utah Jazz for Patrick Beverley.