Russell Westbrook left the Los Angeles Lakers as the central figurehead of the Los Angeles Lakers' abysmal 2021-22 NBA season. Malik Monk offered one of the few bright spots during that painful campaign. After failing to work together, Westbrook could be coming for Monk's spot in Sacramento.
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The former Lakers fan favorite was beloved for his contributions to an otherwise bleak season. Monk averaged 13.8 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game in the 2021-22 season with the Lakers. The high-scoring guard pivoted that into a pay day with the Sacramento Kings.
In 2025, the Kings are setting their focus on adding the other former Lakers guard in this equation. Kings insider Matt George expressed the two sides have 'mutual interest.' The acquisition of Westbrook could come at the expense of Monk.
George wrote, "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."
Sacramento Kings readying themselves for painful Russell Westbrook mistake
The Lakers are no stranger to suffering a mistake due to Westbrook's arrival. The Kings are about to properly acquaint themselves with that issue.
Westbrook had a solid 2024-25 campaign with the Denver Nuggets. The veteran guard averaged 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists, and 1.4 steals per game in 75 regular-season appearances for the Nuggets.
That campaign was pretty close to a best-case scenario for Westbrook. In considering that, it is important to remember the all-time great talent in Denver that makes life easier for everyone on that roster.
The Kings do not have that luxury. However, what they do have, is a need at the point guard spot after trading away De'Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs before last year's NBA trade deadline. Westbrook can offer a stopgap solution.
However, having that band-aid come at the expense of a talented player like Monk will hurt the Kings more than it will help. The Kings are ultimately setting themselves up for failure with the move.
Monk has been in the running for Sixth Man of the Year on multiple occassions since joining the Kings. The former lottery pick even enjoyed a career-high 17.2 points per game in 2025-26 season amid assuming a starting spot for 45 of his 65 games played.
The Kings have totally felt directionless amid their recent shakeups of the roster. This move would only add to that pattern.
Lakers fans are surely dreaming of ways to get Monk back to Los Angeles amid these rumors. There might not be an obvious path for that. However, what is obvious would be the idea that Sacramento will undoubtedly suffer if they ultimately let him go this summer.
