Kings Could Be Sellers, Plan to Keep Monk and Fox for Now

The Kings, despite a small reprieve where they seemed to get things together, are back to their losing ways. The team has talent, a solid roster, and plenty of role players to go around. Even so, that’s not translating to winning. So much so that almost all teams in the NBA expect them to make a move in the next month.

(Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)

Initially, executives expected the Kings to be sellers after they cooled off from their hot start. That changed during a short winning streak, but the narrative shifted back once they dipped down to a few games out of the Western Conference playoff picture.

That now leaves them in a strange middle ground. Some believe the Kings will look to move key pieces or core players in order to regroup and plan for the future, some believe they might blow it all up, but some think they’re just planning on bringing in some much needed help.

There’s no one path forward for Sacramento, and they might end up doing a little bit of everything.

What They’re Willing to Give

Currently, the Kings need help. They’ve lost six of their last ten games, and can’t find any consistent rhythm. Luckily, unlike many weak or desperate teams, they have plenty of flexibility when it comes to finding the right deal.

Management has already stated that Kevin Huerter and Trey Lyles are both on the trade block, as is some of their future draft capital. They have quite a few picks they could move, and would be willing to part with them if it meant landing another strong star.

Reports state those assets are what Sacramento wants to give up, as they believe those two players with some picks could land them a key piece to improve their team moving forward. That being said, they wouldn’t necessarily stop there.

Sacramento does have a deep, young roster. There are plenty of players around the core of Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan, and De’Aaron Fox who would help a lot of teams out around the league.

Monk Stays Put

The Kings are currently not desperate enough to get rid of their best players, but there are inklings that some of their bigger names could be up for trade if they can’t turn the season around. One such name is Malik Monk.

The guard is one of Sacramento’s shining stars this season. He’s playing well, averaging 15.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 4.9 assists a game, and is a huge contributor to a lot of their wins. That’s why so many teams want him.

“I’m not reporting that Malik Monk is available,” NBA Insider Jake Fischer explained. “However, rival teams certainly want to know if Malik Monk will be someone that the Kings are willing to part with.”

The issue with that speculation is, not only has Monk been great for the Kings this season, but he just signed a new four-year $78 million contract over the summer. On top of that, he has a great rapport with De’Aaron Fox. That also holds a lot of weight.

“He’s so crucial to what the Kings have done,” Fischer added. “He’s best friends with De’Aaron Fox dating back to Kentucky. If you’re curious about the long-term ramifications of keeping De’Aaron Fox in Sacramento, you’re probably not wanting to move his best friend.”

The Future of Fox

Fox is another big question for the Kings moving forward. The star has carried the team since first entering the league, and he’s a big reason why they’re relevant. Even so, the guard’s agent recently met with Kings general manager Monte McNair and assistant general manager Wes Wilcox last Thursday to discuss future plans.

Fox recently declined a three-year, $165 million extension in the offseason and reportedly has no interest in being stuck on a losing team for the rest of his career. Rather, he wants Sacramento to show they’re serious about trying for a championship.

Fox hasn’t directly asked for a trade, but that’s where things might be headed if Sacramento doesn’t turn it around. He has one year left on his deal, which would then allow him to qualify for a five-year, $345 million super-max contract if he makes the All-NBA team this season.

That’s important because, as with Monk, there are several teams inquiring about Fox. It’s unlikely the Kings would move him given their current situation, but the Spurs are reportedly positioned to make a big offer for the guard. Chances are they aren’t alone.

Appeasing the Number One

League interest, combined with the recent meetings, matters because if the Kings want to keep Fox happy they need to make some moves. The team isn’t bad on paper, but they are still quite far away from being a serious championship contender.

Their biggest need right now is another big man who can help Sabonis. Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant, Jazz forward John Collins, Nets forward Cameron Johson, and Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma are all names that have come up to fill that role.

Whatever they choose to do, it’s clear the Kings don’t want to blow it all up. They want to make sure Fox is happy, which means keeping most of their core pieces. A big trade for one big player would likely cost too much at the current time.