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The Sacramento Kings saw a once-promising season come to a crashing end on Friday night. While New Orleans was the better team and deserved to earn the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, Sacramento is left wondering what went wrong after falling from third to third place just a year ago. More importantly, how can the Kings improve?
Sacramento Kings Offseason: Keep Malik Monk and Ways The Kings Can Improve
Sacramento went 46-36, which was just two fewer victories than a season ago. The Kings’ 94 victories over the last two seasons are the franchise’s most during a two-year stretch since the mid-2000s.
De’Aaron Fox keeps improving and is a top-5 point guard, while Domantas Sabonis is one of the best passing and rebounding big men in the centers. Malik Monk, who produced a career season, is a finalist for sixth man of the year, and Keegan Murray upped his production a touch in year two but was less efficient than a year ago.
What Went Wrong?
Injuries to Kevin Huerter and Monk down the stretch are one of the biggest reasons for the Kings’ season going off track. The Kings went 7-8 over the final 15 games without Huerter, including 4-5 without Monk.
Offense was a problem following the all-star break and continued to be without Huerter and Monk. Over the final 15 contests, the Kings averaged 109.9 points, nearly seven points fewer than their season average, on 44.7% from the field, three points below their season average.
While Sacramento shot about the same from beyond the arc a season ago, the Kings finished 16th in 3-point percentage compared to ninth a season ago. The biggest difference, offensively, between this past season and a year ago was that the Kings didn’t get the free throw line as often and were the worst shooting squad in the league from the charity stripe.
Sacramento made 15.5 of 20.9 free throws for a 74.5% conversion rate. All those numbers ranked in the bottom third of the league, but the biggest issue was that their opponents outscored the Kings by three points at the free throw line per game.
However, the Kings’ biggest issue was on the defensive end, the same as a year ago.
Sacramento was a little more efficient on that end than previously, although the Kings still ranked 21st in opponents’ field goal percentage and 29th in opponents’ 3-point field goal percentage.
Malik Monk To Hit Free Agency
Monk, a Sixth Man of the Year finalist, is slated to hit the open market this summer and will be the Kings top offseason priority. While he could re-sign with Sacramento before July 1, Jason Anderson said that the 26-year-old shooting guard made it clear he will indeed test free agency.
“I can go somewhere else with a lot more money and be in a worse situation, so you never know. I’ve got a great agent who’s going to do his job. I think my job is done.” – Malik Monk
— Jason Anderson (@JandersonSacBee) April 22, 2024
Monk had a fantastic season, setting career-highs with 15.4 points and 5.1 assists before spraining his MCL and missing the final nine games of the regular season. Monk ranked first in points and assists and second on 3-pointers made among all reserves. He also produced two double-doubles and poured in at least 25 points on 20 occasions, 11 more than another bench player.
“Obviously, I think he was extremely big for us,” De’Aaron Fox told Sacramento Bee’s Chris Biderman. “People that watched us play know that he should be Sixth Man of the Year. But at the end of the day, this is a business, and I feel like what he gave to us in his two years that he has been here, I feel like he showed his value, what he can do for a team. “
Consequences of Re-Signing Monk
Sacramento holds Monk’s early Bird rights, so the Kings can only offer Monk a four-year, $78 million contract, per ESPN’s Bobby Marks. Marks added that Monk’s $17.4 million first-year salary would leave the Kings over the luxury tax with 13 players under contract.
Monk told Anderson he would like to return to Sactown but added that he would prefer a starting role.
“I came here, (played with) one of my best friends, turned the organization around, turned the city around.The city loves me and I love the city, so the emotions are everywhere right now.”
However, according to James Ham of ESPN 1320, Monk added that he would be better for whichever team he signs with.
Monk said he definitely wants to start, but he's ready to do whatever role is needed wherever he lands.
— James Ham (@James_HamNBA) April 22, 2024
Sacramento is about $11 million over the luxury tax and $20 million under the tax threshold, with 11 players under contract. Kessler Edwards, Alex Len, and JaVale McGee are also free agents this offseason. Additionally, the Kings have two open two-way spots.
What Are The Kings Needs?
According to Anderson and Marks, Sacramento’s other primary goal is to add a rim protector. The Kings also need to add athleticism and a defensive-minded guard.
Sacramento projects to receive the No. 13 overall selection. The Kings get to keep this year’s selections instead of sending it off to Atlanta because the pick is lottery-protected.
The Kings also need to see Murray continue to grow.
Murray became more of a focal point of the Kings’ offense this past season and produced strong numbers. But the 23-year-old forward still needs to improve his accuracy beyond the arc. He must also rebound the ball better, become a better playmaker, and defend better overall.
Sacramento could make some trades to help. Huerter, who regressed a little after a career year in his first season with the Kings, and Harrison Barnes come to immediate mind as the most likely to be moved. However, The Kings think about trading Fox as he is their most valuable trade chip.
Starting on draft day this year, Sacramento is eligible to trade its 2024 selection. The Kings have four future first-round picks and seven second-round choices available. Davion Mitchell, Chris Duarte, Trey Lyles, Colby Jones, and Sasha Vezenkov are players that the Kings could use as trade kickers with the draft compensation. Mitchell, Duarte, and Lyles are on expiring deals.
Additionally, Sacramento will have two exceptions: non-taxpayer and bi-annual.
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