NBA Insider Names Kings’ $77 Million Guard as Potential Trade Candidate

It has been an interesting offseason thus far for the Sacramento Kings as they have elected to keep their core together and compete for a playoff spot next season instead of beginning a rebuild.

Of course, many around the NBA expected the Kings to start a rebuild this offseason after trading De’Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs at last season’s trade deadline.

Instead, the Kings have elected to keep their core of Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine together and they also added Nique Clifford, Maxime Raynaud and Dennis Schroder to their roster this summer.

While the Kings are looking to challenge for a playoff spot in the loaded Western Conference next season, they could still elect to make major changes to their roster if they find themselves struggling early on.

Malik Monk named potential Kings' trade candidate

Because of this, Hoops Wire’s Sam Amico recently named Malik Monk as a potential trade candidate while also mentioning both DeRozan and LaVine.

“Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan are pretty much talented trade chips wherever they go. That remains the same with the Kings. But it’s Malik Monk who’s been in most of the offseason rumors, and that will likely last all the way until February,” Amico wrote.

While both DeRozan and LaVine have come up in trade rumors this summer, Amico is right about Monk being the main Kings’ player in trade rumors.

Of course, the 27-year-old guard is coming off the best season of his career where he averaged a career-high 17.2 points to go along with 3.8 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game while shooting 43.9% from the field and 32.5% from three.

With Monk coming off an impressive season, there have been reports that the Kings are open to trading him with his increased trade value but they have yet to receive any offers that entice them.

That could change before the trade deadline next season with contenders possibly looking at Monk to be a key scorer for them off the bench which no doubt makes him a key trade candidate for the Kings next season.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Aug 19, 2025, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.