Reports: Free agent Malik Monk to sign 2-year deal with Sacramento Kings
The Sacramento Kings used free agency to bolster the backcourt on Thursday, acquiring shooting guard Malik Monk in a reported two-year, $19 million deal according to multiple reports.
The deal reunites Monk with former Kentucky teammate De’Aaron Fox, the No. 5 overall pick of the 2017 NBA Draft. The duo helped the Wildcats advance to the Elite Eight in 2016-17.
Selected six spots below his former Kentucky teammate in 2017, Monk, 24, spent his first four NBA seasons with the Charlotte Hornets before joining the Los Angeles Lakers last August on a one-year deal. The sharpshooting guard produced career highs last season in scoring (13.8 points per game), rebounds (3.4), assists (2.9), and steals (0.8). Monk also shot a career-best 47.3% from the field, 39.1% from 3-point range, and 79.5% at the free-throw line.
Connecting on at least 39.1% from 3-point range over the last two seasons, Monk can help provide a much-needed offensive boost in Sacramento, which finished last season 30-52. Not to mention, a starting-caliber shooting guard to play opposite Fox and under new coach Mike Brown, who was recently introduced by the Kings.
Michael C. Wright is a senior writer for NBA.com. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on Twitter.
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