Sabonis, Monk Are the Kings’ Most Productive Pick Duo

The Sacramento Kings have one of the most productive pick duos in Domantas Sabonis and Malik Monk over the last five seasons.

Todd Whitehead compiled a list of every NBA team's most productive pick duo on Saturday. Sabonis and Monk finished 11th in points over expectation at 98.

Sacramento's best pick partners totaled 1,025 points and 1.06 points per possession across 964 possessions.

Their 1.06 PPP isn't the most effective among the other 29 duos, but what makes a Sabonis-Monk pick-and-roll dangerous is their versatility.

The dribble handoff is a variation of the pick-and-roll coach Mike Brown implemented in the 2022-23 season. Brown used Sabonis' physical screening to seal defenders chasing the ball-handler, which Monk was at times.

That action played a key role in the team securing the No. 3 seed and breaking a 16-year playoff drought with the NBA's No. 1 offense.

Monk said the DHO is difficult to guard because he doesn't start with a live dribble, and the defense can't force him in a specific direction. He could come off the handoff and shoot a pull-up three-pointer or drive downhill for a highlight dunk or acrobatic layup.

Sabonis is more than a screener in DHOs. The three-time All-Star can fake the handoff, drive to the rim or roll hard for a dump-off pass, like a traditional big man.

His core strength has always given some of the NBA's best defensive centers trouble. He's talented at maintaining his best after absorbing contact and finishing the play with a left-handed hook.

Sacramento will need the Monk-Sabonis pairing to thrive early next season to win games.

The team owns next year's first-round draft pick. Winning games would increase the Kings' chances of landing a lottery pick with the new lottery reform rules.

Coach Doug Christie prioritizing the DHOs, as his predecessor did, is key to early success. Sabonis could even build a strong partnership with Darius Acuff Jr. to add more offensive firepower.

Acuff could become a franchise cornerstone over the next several seasons. Building a pick-and-roll relationship with Sabonis sets the foundation for the young guard to create another in the future.

Sabonis' tenure with the team could end next season. His name continues to dominate mock trade ideas, as Bleacher Report created a four-team trade sending him to the Toronto Raptors.

General manager Scott Perry wants to prioritize the youth movement he's building, and the Lithuanian center is not part of that future.

For now, he'll start the season in Sacramento and continue to serve as the pillar of its offense with Monk as a reliable pick-and-roll duo.