DONE DEAL: Sacramento confirm another Star in blockbuster trade
After enduring 16 consecutive losing seasons, the Sacramento Kings finally reached the playoffs in the 2022-23 NBA season, only to be eliminated in the first round by the Golden State Warriors. With a promising young core, the Kings appeared poised for a bright future but fell short in last season’s NBA Play-In Tournament.
Despite the disappointing finish, the Kings are fully committed to capitalizing on their rare opportunity in Sacramento. Over the summer, they drafted defensive-minded guard Devin Carter with the 13th overall pick, traded for scoring wing DeMar DeRozan, and re-signed sixth-man Malik Monk.
Monk, who was surprisingly overlooked in last season’s Sixth Man of the Year voting, was one of the most sought-after free agents this summer before deciding to return to the Kings. He posted career-highs in points (15.4), rebounds (2.9), and assists (5.1) last season, playing a crucial role in Sacramento’s recent success. While Monk has been a key contributor for the past two seasons, his return to the Kings wasn’t a certainty.
Domantas Sabonis Was ‘Surprised’ that Monk Stayed
During the 2021-22 NBA season, Domantas Sabonis was traded from the Indiana Pacers to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for Tyrese Haliburton. Since joining the Kings, Sabonis has earned an All-Star selection and received MVP votes in both of his full seasons. The partnership between Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox has been pivotal to the Kings’ resurgence, with Malik Monk playing an exceptional supporting role.
However, despite Monk’s importance to the team, the All-NBA center admitted to ABC’s Matt George that he didn’t expect Monk to return to Sacramento.
“I was actually very surprised! I was talking to [Monk] a lot during the year, and I thought that we lost him. I’m happy he stayed; I think it’s the best decision for him and for us…he’s one of the most important players on our team,” said Sabonis.
Despite being linked to several contending teams this offseason, Monk decided to re-sign with the Kings before the news emerged that they had acquired DeMar DeRozan from the Chicago Bulls. With a projected starting lineup of De’Aaron Fox, Kevin Huerter, DeRozan, Keegan Murray, and Sabonis, the Kings will have one of the deeper rosters in the NBA, especially with the backcourt combination of Devin Carter and Monk coming off the bench. Although they may lack a true superstar, Fox and Sabonis both competing for All-Star spots should keep the team competitive, even without an established MVP candidate.
Devin Carter is currently sidelined with a shoulder injury and will miss at least the first four months of the season. Despite this setback, he is expected to emerge as one of the top defenders from the 2024 draft class. With the addition of DeMar DeRozan, the Kings are projected to be among the stronger teams in the Western Conference. While the conference will be fiercely competitive with teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder, Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, Denver Nuggets, and Minnesota Timberwolves, the Kings are likely to rank among the best of the second tier, alongside the Phoenix Suns, New Orleans Pelicans, L.A. Clippers, and L.A. Lakers.
The Kings are expected to secure a playoff spot outright as the fifth or sixth seed, or at the very least, emerge as the top team in the Play-In Tournament. If they can swiftly dispatch their Play-In opponent, they will be one of the more formidable teams in the postseason. With their bolstered depth after re-signing Malik Monk, the Kings will be a dangerous contender in the playoffs.