One of the league's top reserves is officially on the trade market per NBA insider Chris Haynes. Here are some teams worth monitoring.
Malik Monk broke his silence about his limited playing usage on the Sacramento Kings Monday. He wakes up Tuesday officially available for a trade.
NBA insider Chris Haynes revealed the intel about Monk. The guard officially becomes the first Kings player to enter the trade market.
"He is somebody who fell out of the rotation," Haynes said in his report. "They're going with Keon Ellis at that guard spot and there's a logjam at guard."
Haynes adds Sacramento is looking to get "younger and more athletic" at that spot. Moving Monk won't impact a lot of value either for general manager Scott Perry.
Time to sort through which places look like trade destinations -- starting with a team Monk's Kings beat recently.
The Houston Rockets relied heavily on their forwards and bigs in the overtime loss to Sacramento back on Sunday. Josh Okogie scored only three points among the starting guards. Amen Thompson needs depth help, with Monk looking ideal here.
Such a move also moves reserve Reed Sheppard into the starting role as a reward for putting together seven straight games of hitting double figures in points. Okogie can likely switch places with Monk here, as the former is on a one-year deal only with Houston and can hand Sacramento new guard depth for the rest of the year.
Coby White continues to be a trade topic for the Chicago Bulls. It's highly doubtful the Bulls would exchange him for Monk. Chicago and general manager Marc Eversley would want multiple players and draft picks if White gets sent. Yet seeing how the Bulls need interior help, perhaps Perry can work this deal: Monk, Domantas Sabonis and a future first rounder (likely a 2027 pick) for the 25-year-old White.
The Toronto Raptors are another in need of guard help. Only Immanuel Quickley is averaging double figures in scoring at guard. Jamal Shead is one buried on the depth chart in Toronto. Though the Raptors could be convinced to move center Sandro Mamukelashvili, who holds a player option for his season and has only started four games (despite averaging 10.3 PPG). Monk and Sabonis can be swapped with the center and Shead here -- with future second round picks for '26 and '27 sweetening this deal.
The Milwaukee Bucks are another attached to trade rumblings, including involving Giannis Antetokounmpo. Highly doubt Milwaukee would send "The Greek Freak" to Sacramento for Monk. But for the latter, he can instantly help some needed shooting guard touch in the Deer District. He'd be worth draft capital.
Finally, the Kings can strike a deal with a rival: The Los Angeles Clippers. John Collins is one notable free agent for next season, though he carries a cap hit of $26.58 million. But with Chris Paul having played his final game with LAC, they need a guard to provide depth. Monk and Sabonis can come here in exchange for Collins.