Sacramento Kings’ Malik Monk Named Trade Target For Dallas Mavericks
Sacramento Kings shooting guard Malik Monk has been named a trade target for the Dallas Mavericks by an NBA analyst.
Dan Favale of Bleacher Report believes Monk can help the Mavericks, who are 2-6 to start the season.
“Malik Monk isn’t a top-tier initiator for others, but he creates havoc with his downhill juice,” Favale wrote. “He’s also no stranger to working out of tight spaces. The Sacramento Kings have hardly been a billboard of floor balance during his tenure, and prior to this season, he ranked among the most effective passers out of drives.
“Pressure will immediately be alleviated off Cooper Flagg‘s shoulders. Monk is both a ball-handling alternative, and an outlet for the rookie’s own paint touches. This alone gives him the credentials to start for the Mavs in the interim. He can settle into a bench role once Kyrie Irving debuts.
“Or not. Monk is banging in over 55 percent of his catch-and-shoot threes and has cut his teeth playing in triple-guard combinations with Sacramento. The Mavs could start him next to Kyrie. At the very least, they can and should play these two together.
“Finding a workable deal is pretty straightforward. The Kings need…so much—including a backup big and more combo forwards. Dallas could wind up landing Monk for Daniel Gafford or Naji Marshall, salary filler and little else.”
The Mavericks need more scorers around Flagg, as they are last in the NBA in points per game and offensive rating. Monk is one of the most talented scorers in the league, which is why Favale thinks Dallas should target him.
Monk is averaging 16.5 points per game for the Kings this season while shooting 53.8% from the field, 50.0% from beyond the arc and 87.5% from the free-throw line. The 27-year-old is a microwave scorer off the bench.
A Kentucky product, Monk is making $18.8 million this season. He has played for the Charlotte Hornets, Los Angeles Lakers and Kings, compiling career averages of 12.4 points, 2.6 rebounds and 3.2 assists.
Monk and Anthony Davis were teammates on the Lakers during the 2021-22 season.
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