A one-time Los Angeles Laker has fallen out of a rival’s rotation. With LA’s bench scoring becoming problematic, could they right the ship with a potential reunion?
Ex-Laker Made Available in Trade Talks; Is a Reunion in the Cards?
Chris Haynes: Malik Monk on Trading Block
NBA insider Chris Haynes revealed Tuesday that Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk is “available for trade” after exiting the rotation in favor of Keon Ellis, who is another Lakers trade target.
“The Sacramento Kings, they’re looking to get younger and they’re looking to get more athletic. Malik Monk is somebody who plays extremely hard. He’s a very dynamic player, one of the best sixth men we have in this league. So he presents a ton of value. It’s just a logjam there in Sacramento.”
Monk, the runner-up for Sixth Man of the Year in 2023-24, has still played well off the bench for the Kings. In 24 games (23 MPG), he has averaged 12.5 points, 2.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists on .437/.411/.837 splits. He packs an athletic scoring punch to his game while steadily improving his defense, tallying 19 steals and 11 blocks so far this season.
In response to the series of benchings by head coach Doug Christie, Monk said, “He just told me he’s trying something new.” He added that the decision left him “one thousand percent” confused but noted, “I’ve been in the league long enough where I don’t let this stuff get to me.”
Doug Christie says he approached Malik Monk after the game and thanked him for being a pro.
“That’s part of what it is to be a part of a team and a good teammate. It was big time for him. It was five minutes, but they were really good five minutes that we needed.”
— Tristi Rodriguez (@tristi_r14) December 22, 2025
Monk Could Return to Familiar Role in LA
Monk’s offensive talent could be exactly what the Lakers need to shore up guard depth and bench help going forward. LA’s second unit ranks dead-last in scoring (24.3 points per game) despite decent shooting splits (.464/.369/.713), and injuries to stars and veteran role players haven’t helped at all, either. Monk could slide in at the perfect time to give the Lakers’ second unit some firepower. Any defensive concerns could be mitigated alongside stalwarts in Marcus Smart and Jarred Vanderbilt, the latter of whom recently returned from his own string of DNP-CD’s. The fact that Monk played with LeBron James and Austin Reaves would only enhance this team’s strong chemistry.
As for Monk’s contract, he is earning $18.7 million this season in the middle of a four-year deal. The Lakers, as mentioned ad nauseam, have the expiring contracts of Gabe Vincent and Maxi Kleber to use in potential trades (as well as Rui Hachimura’s if they’re serious about upgrades). They could also move on from second-year wing Dalton Knecht and part ways with their lone tradable first-round pick (2031 or 2032).
Monk could be a desirable option for the Lakers given his familiarity with the team and its fans, seamlessly shift into another “sixth man” role. While all the focus remains on 3-and-D wings, it’s worth giving this athletic guard another chance in the purple and gold.
© Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
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