Malik Monk set to sign $78 million deal with Kings

Malik Monk is looking to sign a four-year, $78 million deal to remain with the Sacramento Kings, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

It’s been quite the journey for Monk, who was the Charlotte Hornets first-round pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, having been taken with the 11th-overall selection. He played four seasons with the Hornets, increasing his scoring in each and topping out at 11.7 points per game in Charlotte. He then played one season with the Lakers, again increasing his scoring to 13.8 per game.

Monk really started to feel at home and grow his game in Sacramento alongside former Kentucky Wildcats teammate De’Aaron Fox, which was among the best teams in the Western Conference two seasons ago. It earned the 3rd seed in the playoffs before being eliminated by the Golden State Warriors.

Monk averaged 13.5 points per game in that season and then hit a career-high 15.4 per game last season and was also among the finalists for Sixth Man of the Year.

At age 26, Monk is in the prime of his career. While not a terrific defender, Monk is an elite playmaker and has room to continue to grow his game. He stands 6-foot-3 and is a good athlete.

Monk played out his rookie contract in Charlotte and then signed a one-year deal with the Lakers worth just $1.8 million. Monk made $9.47 million in the 2022-23 season and then $9.94 million last season.

This is a huge deal for the star guard, one that will make him among the highest-paid bench players in the league.

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