Malik Monk

Terrell Adams

2023-california-classic

2023 California Classic

Jonathan Bradley

Over the first quarter of the 2022-23 NBA season, the Sacramento Kings have established themselves as one of the best offenses in The Association and are putting up numbers akin to some of the most potent offenses in league history.&nbsp;&nbsp;

That success has not gone unnoticed, as pundits from across the NBA spectrum have started to take a closer look at the reasons why the Kings have been able to put up such gaudy numbers.&nbsp;&nbsp;

One of the best pieces of analysis on Sacramento’s newfound success comes from Ben Taylor, author of the Thinking Basketball book and host of the podcast with the same name.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Taylor asserts that Sacramento’s turnaround this season is not just the result of the late-season addition of Domantas Sabonis and offseason acquisitions of Malik Monk and Kevin Huerter, but more so how new head coach Mike Brown has implemented a system that fully takes advantage of their talents.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Taylor’s initial premise surmises that the Kings have found success this season by taking pieces bits and pieces from the Warriors, where Mike Brown spent the last six years of his coaching career, while also capitalizing on the passing and scoring abilities of Sabonis, the shooting of Monk and Huerter and the speed of Fox.&nbsp;&nbsp;

In addition to that, Taylor points out that the Kings have taken a page out from the playbook of the Denver Nuggets, one of the league’s most successful regular season teams over the last half decade, in positioning Sabonis as the centerpiece of the offense.&nbsp;&nbsp;

And the comparisons aren’t too far-fetched.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Sabonis has been one of the main facilitators of the Kings offense this season. When he isn’t taking the ball up the court himself after snatching a defensive rebound, he’s setting up in the high post and working to get his teammates open through DHOs or looking to make the right pass after the rest of the squad works through their split actions.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Warriors have been running split actions for years, but the Kings, now with the pieces to effectively execute, have implemented their own version to much success. They, like Golden State, currently ranked top 5 in both screen assists per game (9.6) and screen assists points per game (22.8)&nbsp;

The Kings are also currently the second highest scoring team in the league, behind the Celtics, averaging 118.7 points per game so far this season. If they continue at that clip, they would have one of the 30 best offensive seasons in NBA history. Any increase in output would make them the second team since the 1984-85 (Nuggets) season to average more than 120 points per game.&nbsp;&nbsp;

And as the Warriors have shown over the years, you can hit those numbers without playing at pace, something the Kings have done exceptionally well this season thanks to having the league’s fastest player, De’Aaron Fox, on the roster.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Sacramento is currently the sixth fastest team in the league, right behind the Warriors and just behind the Pacers, Lakers and Timberwolves. Taylor points out that Sacramento’s ability to get out and run has helped them exploit mismatches and shorthanded opposing defenses on the other end.&nbsp;&nbsp;

That has manifested itself on the scoreboard, too, as the squad also ranks top 5 in fastbreak points per game.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Fox has always been a dynamic player offensively, but often draws massive attention from defenses. He’s been freed up a bit this season thanks to the summer acquisitions of Monk and Huerter.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Both guards are putting up career numbers this season, as Monk is averaging 14.8 points on 48% shooting from the field – both career bests – while Huerter is hitting an absurd 42% of his shots from deep, also a career-high.&nbsp;&nbsp;

This improved shooting, as Taylor points out, has opened the door for Fox to take his game to the next level and put up All-Star worthy numbers with the team success to match.&nbsp;&nbsp;

After getting off to their best start in 18 years, the Kings will continue to be closely watched as they navigate the 2022-23 season.&nbsp;&nbsp;

kings-dynamic-offense-analyzed-in-epic-video-breakdown

Kings Dynamic Offense Analyzed In Epic Video Breakdown

Kenneth Reprado

Through five seasons in the NBA, former first-round pick Malik Monk has seen his share of ups and downs but is coming off his best single season in the Association and is now reunited with his former Kentucky teammate in Sactown. The 6-foot-3 guard joins the squad as a lights-out shooter, effective passer, and quality defender. 

We take a look back at Monk’s five best games over his five-year career to give Kings fans an idea of what they should expect from the 24-year-old this upcoming season in Sacramento.  

In the last game of the 2021-22 regular season, Malik Monk scored a career-high 41 points in an overtime thriller versus the Denver Nuggets. Monk led all scorers while shooting 45 percent (14-25) from the field and 18 of his 41 points came from the 4th quarter alone.  

Lakers at Rockets – December 28, 2021  

After a five-game absence due to Health and Safety Protocols, Monk returned better than he left with a string of 20-plus point games. Malik scored 25 points in his second game following his return, playing efficiently to average 50 percent (7-14) from the field and a perfect clip from the charity stripe to be the second-highest scorer on the Lakers that night.  

In a February contest versus the Heat, Monk scored a season-high 36 points and connected on a career-high nine three-pointers made off the bench. Starting off strong shooting perfectly from beyond the arc with 12 points in the 1st quarter, Malik continued to shine with another 14 points before helping Charlotte secure the win in overtime. Leading all scorers, Monk finished with an incredible 69 percent (9-13) from downtown.  

Monk may be the “God of Dunk,” but he can throw some lobs too. In his rookie season, Malik recorded a career-high eight assists to help lead his team to a 137-100 victory versus the Orlando Magic. Along with a night of lobs, he also recorded a season-high 26 points, showing the potential of the versatile Kentucky product.  

 Lakers at Hawks – January 30, 2022  

He can rebound too! On January 30th, Monk recorded a career-high 10 defensive rebounds versus the Hawks. In addition to the record-setting rebounding night, Malik also added 33 points, while connecting on 57 percent (8-14) of his shots beyond the arc and 63 percent (12-19) from the field.

malik-monks-top-5-career-performances

Malik Monk's Top 5 Career Performances

Nikki Nicholson

The newest member of the Sacramento Kings Malik Monk sits down with Jonathan Bradley to discuss signing with Sacramento, his relationship with De'Aaron Fox and why he doesn't have any tattoos on his right arm.

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1-on-1 with Malik Monk

Malik Monk has a longtime friendship with De’Aaron Fox&nbsp;

Monk first met Kings point guard De’Aaron Fox in middle school and the two have maintained a tight friendship ever since. After holding down the 6th and 9th spots, respectively, in the 2016 ESPN Top 100, Fox and Monk paired up to lead Kentucky to a 32-6 record and a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Monk finished that season averaging a team-high 19.8 points to go with 2.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists while Fox added 16.7 points per game and 4 boards and 4.6 assists.

Monk owns the Kentucky record for most points in a game by a freshman &nbsp;

Monk not only led that Kentucky team in scoring, but&nbsp;also set the record for most points in a game by a freshman. In a December tilt against then seventh-ranked North Carolina, Monk hit eight three-pointers en route to 47 points in the Wildcats 103-100 win. Monk shot 18-of-28 from the field and his eight triples was good for fourth most all-time by a Kentucky player.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Monk scored eight of the Wildcats’ final 10 points in the victory. The other&nbsp;– two clutch free throws that sealed it -- were scored by Fox.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Monk has improved as a scorer in each of his five seasons&nbsp;

Monk started his career shooting 36% from the field as a rookie but saw his average jump to 47% last season. Most importantly, his effective field goal percentage – a stat that adjusts for the fact a three-pointer is worth more than a two-pointer – has also risen over the years.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Monk keeps his right arm tattoo-less&nbsp;

Monk’s left arm is noticeably tatted up from shoulder to wrist. But his right&nbsp;is a blank canvas. Why? Well, according to the 24-year-old guard, it’s because the right arm is “strictly for buckets.” Can’t argue with that.

Monk wears No. 5 because he loves animals&nbsp;

As a student at UK, Monk told KentuckyLiving.com that his he chose the No. 5 because, “on the fifth day of creation, god created the animals.” He’ll rock the number 0 in Sacramento – swapping college jersey numbers with his friend Fox – but that won’t stop him from being a beast this upcoming season.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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Malik Monk 101 

Career highlights from the newest Sacramento King, Malik Monk.

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Kings Sign Malik Monk | Career Mixtape

Official Release

The Sacramento Kings have signed free agent guard Malik Monk, according to General Manager Monte McNair. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

“Malik Monk is an elite shooter, fierce competitor and tremendous athlete,” said McNair. “We’re thrilled to have him join us in Sacramento.”

During the 2021-22 campaign, Monk competed in 76 games (37 starts) and averaged 13.8 points (.473 FG%, .391 3PT%, .795 FT%), 3.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 0.8 steals and 28.1 minutes for the Los Angeles Lakers. Monk posted career-highs in points (41), field-goals made (14), rebounds (10) and blocks (3) during the 2021-22 season.

A five-year NBA veteran, Monk has accrued career averages of 10.3 points (.424 FG%, .355 3pt%, .830 FT%), 2.3 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 20.4 minutes per game in 309 games (38 starts) for two teams, the Charlotte Hornets (2017-21) and the Los Angeles Lakers (2021-22).

Selected by the Hornets with the 11th overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft, Monk spent one season at the University of Kentucky where he helped lead the Wildcats to the Sweet 16 in 2018.