Head coach Doug Christie has given Malik Monk, one of the best sixth men in the game, three straight DNP’s. In Christie’s eyes, it makes sense, as Monk seems out of place, but for a team like the LA Clippers, which must explore trading for him, this is the perfect opportunity for a trade; his value is at an all-time low.
Even when he did check in, Christie was either playing Monk minimally, or the guard would receive roughly 15 to 20 minutes per game, and disappoint with turnovers and low field-goal percentages.
Therefore, the Clippers’ front office must capitalize on him out of the lineup. He is still a top-tier scorer and was a Sixth Man of the Year finalist in 2023-24. A fall-off for a role player with his playstyle does not occur as quickly as it appears.
Expiring contracts could do the trick for the Kings to give up Malik Monk
There is no right to blame Malik Monk for the adversity he is going through. It is a different type of challenge for a player to show some life and a winning sense of urgency in a losing, 8-29 situation, with injuries across the board.
Monk’s December averages of 9.4 points, shooting 38.3% from the field, come with context, as he deserves the utmost benefit of the doubt; none of what he is producing is his fault.
Moreover, the Sacramento Kings appear excessively patient in their pursuit of success. The trade deadline is weeks away, but they could have pulled off a move, as the Washington Wizards did for Trae Young, to maximize the time left in the regular season.
Yet, the Kings did not. Instead, the LA Clippers should be the first to call on Monk, an explosive, score-first guard with experience on several NBA teams, who is evidently available.
A season ago, the Kings might have asked for an unprotected first-round pick in any deal for Monk, but now, with Doug Christie purposefully not playing him, they may snag an opportunity where LA gives up expiring contracts and salary fillers to dump the guaranteed $18.7 million the former lottery pick is earning this season.
That said, the rotational collapse Monk has experienced could not have played out any better for the Clippers. He is now easy to trade for, and Lawrence Frank should do so, as Monk would immediately become LA’s most valuable bench piece.