By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
A new contract between the Sacramento Kings and 26-year-old guard Malik Monk.
The Kentucky product was set for free agency after his seventh season in the NBA. Deciding on his future at the top of the negotiation window set by the league, he intends to re-sign with the Kings, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Monk will officially pen a contract extension on July 6, once restrictions for announcing deals with free agents are lifted. He will sign a four-year contract, including a player option, worth 78 million dollars, as noted.
With recent changes in the rules regarding free agents, the NBA allows players to negotiate a new deal with their current team following the conclusion of the Finals of the Playoffs. Like Pascal Siakam agreeing with the Indiana Pacers on a four-year contract extension, Monk follows second on the list.
Last season, the Arkansas native averaged 15.4 points, 5.1 assists, 2.9 rebounds, 0.6 steals, and 0.5 blocks per contest over 72 appearances off the bench for the team coached by Mike Brown. A sprained MCL in his right knee made a premature ending to his second year with the team based in the capital of California.
Selected by the Charlotte Hornets with the 11th pick of the 2017 NBA draft, Monk spent four years with the first team of his professional career. Following a one-year stint with the Los Angeles Lakers, he signed a two-year contract to join the Kings as a free agent in 2022.