Monk continues to battle for minutes. He and another reserve are hearing trade chatter across the league with one possibility out east.
The Sacramento Kings watched Malik Monk go off on the scoring end against the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night with 23 points.
But could he still get moved before the league's trade deadline?
Intel from Michael Scotto of HoopsHype points to Sacramento sending him out soon. Except Keon Ellis, who's battled with Monk for minutes off the bench, is another player who could get dealt with Monk.
Scotto adds another player who's rising as part of a potential move on the Kings' side: Bobby Portis of the Milwaukee Bucks.
"Portis and another unidentified minimum-salary player have also come up in talks with the Sacramento Kings in exploratory conversations involving Keon Ellis and Malik Monk, league sources told HoopsHype,” Scotto wrote. “Milwaukee has eyed scoring help, which Monk could theoretically provide, and Ellis has been on their radar as well."
Why is Monk still on the trade market? Scotto dove into the financial figures that play into a possible deal.
"Monk is owed $20.19 million next season and has a $21.58 million player option for the 2027-28 season," Scotto said.
His fellow Kings reserve teammate faces a different contract situation.
"Ellis will become an unrestricted free agent this summer, but if he’s acquired via trade before the deadline, his Bird Rights would transfer to the team acquiring him," Scott said.
So how does Portis factor into this scenario for a possible swap?
"Portis, conversely, is cheaper at $14.52 million next season and has a $15.60 million player option for the 2027-28 season," Scotto said.
Monk first rose as a trade target before Christmas. Many started envisioning what kind of value Monk would command as a reserve and as a player dealing with diluted minutes from head coach Doug Christie. Monk himself was stunned by his December benching.
Monk is now averaging 11.9 points per game with grabbing two rebounds a night and dishing out 2.4 assists per contest. He earned 26 minutes in the Sunday loss to the Blazers -- which ended a four-game winning streak on the Kings' side.
Portis, meanwhile, would hand Sacramento an extra double-digit scorer. He delivered 19 points in 24 minutes against the Atlanta Hawks on Monday night. Portis has surpassed the double-digit mark in five straight games. He's averaging 13.1 points per game and has spent his last six seasons in Milwaukee.
Monk and Ellis aren't the only member of the Kings hearing trade chatter -- as DeMar DeRozan is another who could get moved.
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