Five minutes in three matches, with especially two “DNPs” by decision of his coach. This is the situation in which we find ourselves Malik Monk for a week at Sacramento and, inevitably, this fuels the rumors of an imminent transfer, when this had already animated his entire summer.
If we are to believe the words of the full-back, who received a standing ovation from his audience when he came on the field this weekend, the incomprehension is total despite the explanations of Doug Christie, his trainer.
« He just told me he was trying something new and that’s it, basically. » he delivered, on the sidelines of Sunday evening’s victory against the Rockets. “ I said, ‘OK, I’ll be ready when I’m called upon.’ »
“Everyone knows I want to be on the pitch”
The kind of situation that frustrates the person concerned? “ Yes, 1000%. But it’s not for me to try to understand why I’m not playing, because I consider myself much more important than that, than this role, so I’ll just be ready for when I’m called upon again. »
Since his arrival at the Kings in 2022, Malik Monk established himself as one of the best replacements in the league, finishing second in the vote for the Sixth Man of the Year trophy in 2024. Less productive this season, since he was less used, but more effective in shooting, this sudden downgrade leaves him speechless.
« I’ve been in the league long enough to not let this kind of thing affect me. » he admitted, however. “ Everyone knows I want to be on the field, especially in front of this crowd in Sacramento… But I just can’t fucking do anything about it. »
A temporary choice… or permanent?
Once again invited to comment on its decision, Doug Christie prefers to emphasize the fact that competition is tough for positions outside Sacramento (Russell Westbrook, Dennis Schröder, Keon Ellis, Nique Clifford, etc.).
« The challenges are numerous. We can’t make everyone play. It’s the very nature of things. We’re not here for everyone to play. This is professional sport and, at the moment, there is a logjam in the squad. But everyone stays in the race » revealed the Californian coach.
And to add that everything can still evolve: “ If someone is not playing well, there is a good chance that someone else will play in their place. If someone is not up to our standards, in terms of competitiveness or all the values that we hold dear, then there is obviously going to be a strong possibility that they will leave the field. »
| Malik Monk | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saison | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | To | Pd | Fte | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2017-18 | CHA | 63 | 13:32 | 36.0 | 34.2 | 84.2 | 0.1 | 0.9 | 1.0 | 1.4 | 1.0 | 0.3 | 0.8 | 0.1 | 6.7 |
| 2018-19 | CHA | 73 | 17:14 | 38.7 | 33.0 | 88.2 | 0.2 | 1.7 | 1.9 | 1.6 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 1.2 | 0.3 | 8.9 |
| 2019-20 | CHA | 55 | 21:15 | 43.4 | 28.4 | 82.0 | 0.5 | 2.4 | 2.9 | 2.1 | 1.3 | 0.5 | 1.4 | 0.3 | 10.3 |
| 2020-21 | CHA | 42 | 20:54 | 43.4 | 40.1 | 81.9 | 0.3 | 2.1 | 2.4 | 2.1 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 11.7 |
| 2021-22 | LAL | 76 | 28:09 | 47.3 | 39.1 | 79.5 | 0.5 | 2.9 | 3.4 | 2.9 | 1.8 | 0.8 | 1.6 | 0.4 | 13.8 |
| 2022-23 | SAC | 77 | 22:19 | 44.8 | 35.9 | 88.9 | 0.4 | 2.2 | 2.6 | 3.9 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 1.9 | 0.3 | 13.5 |
| 2023-24 | SAC | 72 | 26:00 | 44.3 | 35.0 | 82.9 | 0.4 | 2.6 | 2.9 | 5.1 | 2.2 | 0.6 | 2.1 | 0.5 | 15.4 |
| 2024-25 | SAC | 65 | 31:36 | 43.9 | 32.5 | 86.5 | 0.5 | 3.3 | 3.8 | 5.6 | 2.4 | 0.9 | 2.4 | 0.6 | 17.2 |
| 2025-26 | SAC | 24 | 23:08 | 43.7 | 41.1 | 83.7 | 0.4 | 1.7 | 2.0 | 2.4 | 1.7 | 0.8 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 12.5 |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
