The Sacramento Kings want to return to the playoffs and advance further. Following their surprise run in 2023, the Kings are working to take the next step. This offseason, they have tried to address that goal.
They added Dennis Schröder to bolster their guard depth, and now they want to add Russell Westbrook. However, there appears to be a problem with that plan.
Kings Trying to Offload Malik Monk to Make Room for Russell Westbrook
Ashish Mathur of Dallas Hoops Journal reported, citing Grant Afseth, that the Kings have tried to move Malik Monk to make room for Westbrook but have not found any takers.
“The Sacramento Kings have been ‘trying very hard’ to trade Malik Monk this offseason, but they haven’t found a taker, an NBA source told Grant Afseth of DallasHoopsJournal,” Mathur wrote.
Mathur then outlined what the Kings’ plan would be if they succeeded in trading Monk.
“The Kings have been trying to trade Monk to open up a spot for Russell Westbrook, who is an unrestricted free agent. Sacramento wants to sign Westbrook and bring the former NBA MVP off the bench as its sixth man behind Dennis Schröder,” Mathur wrote.
Kings Have Been ‘Trying Very Hard’ To Trade Malik Monkhttps://t.co/q3IXOB9OBv
— Ashish Mathur (@amathur25) August 21, 2025
Westbrook is coming off a strong postseason run with the Denver Nuggets, when many thought he would be a liability. His transition into a role player after his All-Star days has been surprising, as not many veterans can adapt so seamlessly.
For a team like the Kings, who want to make noise in the postseason, the move makes sense. Trading Monk to do it, though, could divide fans.
Monk is younger, more athletic, and a more dynamic scorer than Westbrook at this point. He is also more efficient from the field, especially from deep. That is inarguable in 2025.
Why would the Kings want the lesser player in an aging Westbrook? One reason is cost: he is cheaper, will not hurt their salary-cap flexibility the way Monk would, and could provide veteran leadership for a team that lost its leader, De’Aaron Fox, last season. Monk is entering the second year of a four-year, $77,975,308 contract that has a player option for 2027-28.
Skeptics can laugh because of the Kings’ reputation, but the modern NBA approach is to build a strong roster while staying mindful of the luxury tax. Monk may not be overpaid, but if the Kings can add Westbrook and use their flexibility to sign another key piece, the move may not be as misguided as some believe.