The Sacramento Kings were actually a rather significant disappointment last season, going 40-42 after winning 46 games and making the playoffs the year prior.
The Kings attempted to bolster their roster midseason by swinging a deadline trade for Zach LaVine while shipping out De'Aaron Fox, but the deal did not seem to move the needle much for Sacramento. In fact, most were largely puzzled by the Kings' midseason decision.
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Well, now, Sacramento is apparently being aggressive in trying to make another move, as sources have told Grant Afseth of Dallas Hoops Journal that the Kings are "trying very hard" to trade breakout guard Malik Monk.
Apparently, Sacramento is trying to offload Monk in order to clear room to sign Russell Westbrook, who remains available in free agency.
It's yet another odd strategy by the Kings, who certainly are not contenders in the stacked Western Conference. Monk is 27 years old and is under contract on a manageable deal through 2028 (the last year is a $21.6 million player option), so the fact that Sacramento is so headstrong on jettisoning Monk for a much older, declining player in Westbrook is strange.
Monk averaged a career-high 17.2 points per game while adding 5.6 assists and 3.8 rebounds over 31.6 minutes a night last season. He shot 43.9 percent from the floor, 32.5 percent from three-point range and 86.5 percent from the free-throw line.
Yes, Monk's lack of consistency is frustrating, as is his less-than-stellar efficiency. But Westbrook comes with the same problems. The only difference is that he is nearly a decade older at 36.
Perhaps the Kings simply want to clear some money for the future, which makes sense. They would almost certainly only be signing Westbrook to a one-year contract, so if they are able to get an expiring deal in exchange for Monk, it removes those financial obligations beyond next season.
Still, the fact that Sacramento is so keen on Westbrook is puzzling, to say the least.
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