Free agent guard Malik Monk is signing a two-year, $19 million deal to join the Sacramento Kings, his brother and agent, Marcus Monk, told ESPN’s Dave McMenamin.
Monk, 24, was one of the rare bright spots for a disappointing Los Angeles Lakers team last season, averaging career highs in minutes (28.1), points (13.8), assists (2.9) and true shooting percentage (59.7%).
He gives Sacramento more depth in a backcourt that lost Tyrese Haliburton and Buddy Hield after the Kings moved on from them at the trade deadline last season.
Selected 11th overall in the 2017 draft, Monk spent the first four seasons of his career in Charlotte but struggled to get consistent touches amid a crowded backcourt that included Terry Rozier, LaMelo Ball and Devonte’ Graham.
On the Lakers, Monk was given more responsibility as the roster thinned due to injuries. He played the second-most total minutes of anyone on L.A.’s roster and was one of the few players who had a positive point differential when he was on the court.
After the All-Star break, Monk started 18 of L.A.’s last 24 games and scored 15.6 points per game while shooting 37.6% from 3 on more than six attempts.