The Milwaukee Bucks are looking at everyone on the trade market, including Sacramento Kings guard Malik Monk, per The Athletic's Sam Amick. Yet, Amick (subscription required) reports there have been no active conversations between the Bucks and Kings recently. Monk must not be too high on their wish list, and that might be for the best.
Bucks don't need Malik Monk before NBA Trade Deadline
Malik Monk could help the Milwaukee Bucks. The team could use another scoring threat to handle the offense when Giannis Antetokounmpo sits. With Bobby Portis, Kyle Kuzma, and Gary Trent Jr. failing to consistently produce off the bench, adding a former Sixth Man of the Year runner-up could be a nice way to boost the offense.
This season, Monk has fallen out of favor in Sacramento's rotation, averaging just 11.3 points in 21.5 minutes per game. However, last season, when he logged a career-high 31.6 minutes, he averaged what was also a career best 17.2 points. When given the opportunity, he can contribute to a team.
Outside of offense, though, Monk isn't doing much to solve Milwaukee's more pressing issues, which are rebounding, defense, and being undersized. A 6-foot-3 guard, Monk has never made his money as a versatile defender or top-tier rebounder. Trading for him would only amplify Milwaukee's issues, as they'd have to trade Bobby Portis or Kyle Kuzma, two bigger players, to get him.
It makes sense to check in on Monk, especially with how low his trade value likely is in what is one of his least-productive seasons to date, but he shouldn't be an all-in target.
All of those issues also apply to Zach LaVine, another Sacramento King the Bucks have been linked to in trade talks. However, he makes around double the salary. It appears that Milwaukee isn't high on him either, as Amick mentioned in the same report that there have been no active discussions about a trade sending him to the Bucks. Given the team's issues, it's for the best.
Everyone knows the Milwaukee Bucks want to do something before the Feb. 5 NBA Trade Deadline. As an executive told insider Jake Fischer (subscription required), "They've thought about everyone." The Bucks are leaving no stone unturned in their quest to get Giannis Antetokounmpo help before the upcoming deadline, and rightfully so.
Yet, as they look to field a contending supporting cast around the Greek Freak, Malik Monk likely isn't the target that turns the tide.
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