If the Sacramento Kings trade Malik Monk to sign Russell Westbrook, the Los Angeles Lakers could make a move for him as an ideal Luka Doncic partner.
Los Angeles Lakers, Sacramento Kings, Russell Westbrook, Luka Doncic, Malik Monk, NBA Trade Rumors | Katelyn Mulcahy/GettyImages
According to Matt George of ABC 10, the Sacramento Kings have interest in Russell Westbrook but are waiting to sign him until they find a new home for Malik Monk or Devin Carter. If those moves come to fruition, Westbrook would unintentionally be gifting the Los Angeles Lakers a perfect Luka Doncic running mate: Monk.
“On the Kings/Russell Westbrook front: Both parties have been talking and have had mutual interest since free agency began. That’s been well known,” George wrote on X. “From what I gather, the Kings are still looking to move a player like Devin Carter or Malik Monk before they can bring Westbrook in. The Kings have a log jam at the guard position and very little financial flexibility to work with.”
A Monk reunion would be great for the Lakers, especially if the price is right.
Monk has been a Laker before. In fact, he began his career revival in LA after a relatively up-and-down few years with the Charlotte Hornets. Now, he’s talented enough to be a perennial Sixth Man of the Year contender.
The Lakers already have plenty of on-ball creation with Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves. But adding another guy who can make something happen and play off the ball would be ideal.
When Doncic is on the floor, he needs three key things around him: Secondary creators, three-point shooting, and defense. Monk gives him two of those things with his shot creation and three-point shooting.
He’s a solid volume three-point shooter, and his athleticism could make him an intriguing off-ball cutting threat next to Doncic, too.
When Doncic made it to the NBA Finals with the Dallas Mavericks, he did it next to Kyrie Irving. Before that, he found success playing with Jalen Brunson and Spencer Dinwiddie in the postseason, making it all the way to the Eastern Conference finals.
Obviously, having Reaves in town already gives Doncic one secondary creator to play with, but adding Monk would give him two.
If Westbrook does end up wanting to sign with the Kings, and they decide to move on from Monk because of it, it could be a dream scenario for the Lakers.
Perhaps the Kings and Lakers wouldn’t want to make a trade together because of their history. But if the Lakers throw a first at the Kings, sweeten the pot with Dalton Knecht, and find a way to match the salary, Monk could be a dream addition next to Doncic moving forward.