Malik Monk

Los Angeles Lakers guard Malik Monk is heading to the Sacramento Kings on a two-year contract in free agency.

However, the Purple and Gold decided to earmark the taxpayer mid-level exception for other needs, meaning they could only offer another minimum deal for the standout guard. New head coach Darvin Ham praised the young L.A. team for their “energy and competitiveness throughout the workout.” Monk hardly attracted interest from NBA teams last summer, allowing the Lakers to sign him on a minimum deal.

The Sacramento Kings and free-agent guard Malik Monk agreed to a two-year deal that approaches a value of $20 million, according to agent Jeff Schwartz (h/t ...

He was one of the few bright spots in a miserable season for the team, averaging a career-high 13.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists while shooting 39.1 percent from the floor. While defense can still be an issue, Sacramento isn't acquiring the Kentucky product to lock down on the perimeter. “I love being here, man.

Malik Monk is signing a two-year, $19 million deal with the Sacramento Kings after a career-year with the Lakers last season.

On the Lakers, Monk was given more responsibility as the roster thinned due to injuries. He played the second-most total minutes of anyone on L.A.'s roster and was one of the few players who had a positive point differential when he was on the court. Monk, 24, was one of the rare bright spots for a disappointing Los Angeles Lakers team last season, averaging career highs in minutes (28.1), points (13.8), assists (2.9) and true shooting percentage (59.7%).

It sounds like Malik Monk will likely sign with the Kings when NBA free agency opens, barring an unforeseen change.

Monk, 24, doesn’t do much to address Sacramento’s horrific defense, but he does help their lack of team shooting in a major way. “When Monk told (The Athletic) that he was willing to go back to the Lakers for under the mid-level, I was like ‘huh?’ Because I had heard that he basically could go back to the Lakers for the mid-level right now, if he wanted to. Monk will rejoin his college teammate De’Aaron Fox in Sacramento on a two-year, $19M contract.

The Lakers recruited him heavily and he ultimately agreed to come to Los Angeles on a minimum-salary contract. That opportunity wound up working quite well for ...

With Monk, Keegan Murray and Domantas Sabonis in place, they are hoping that Fox finally has the supporting cast he needs to carry the Kings back into the postseason. In Sacramento, he will reunite with college teammate De'Aaron Fox. The two of them starred together at Kentucky and were famously close, and both expressed devastation after their season-ending loss to North Carolina in the NCAA tournament. His defense certainly needs work and he has room to grow as a playmaker, but Monk is growing into one of the more dangerous secondary scorers in the NBA.

The Kings have agreed to two-year, $19 million with free agent guard Malik Monk, sources told The Athletic. Monk, 24, averaged career highs of 13.8 points.

JaVale McGee, Mavericks agree to 3-year, $20.1 million contract: Sources So it’s just me trying to figure out what team would really want me.” The Kings were in need of help at shooting guard after not extending a qualifying offer to Donte DiVincenzo.

The Kings have reunited the 2016-17 Kentucky Wildcats backcourt of Malik Monk and De'Aaron Fox.

Fox and Monk spent their lone collegiate seasons at Kentucky together, starring in coach John Calipari's backcourt. In 76 games last season, his first with the Lakers, Monk averaged 13.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game. At 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, Monk lacks defensive presence -- a massive need for the Kings -- but he has greatly improved as a 3-point shooter.