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Malik Monk reportedly intends to sign 4-year, $78 million deal with Kings

WASHINGTON, DC - MARCH 21: Malik Monk #0 of the Sacramento Kings dribbles the ball against the Washington Wizards during the second half at Capital One Arena on March 21, 2024 in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Malik Monk had a career year last season, but the Kings missed the playoffs. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

The Sacramento Kings checked off a very large box on their offseason to-do list Thursday via a deal with key rotation player Malik Monk.

The runner-up for the 2024 NBA Sixth Man of the Year Award plans to sign a four-year, $78 million deal that includes a player option, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

Monk joined the Kings in 2022 after one season with the Los Angeles Lakers and saw his game take a step forward. Along with a full season of Domantas Sabonis and the addition of head coach Mike Brown, the Kings reached new heights in 2023 by breaking a 16-year playoff drought.

Last season was less successful, even though Monk had a career year with personal bests in points and assists per game. The Kings were relegated to the play-in, where they defeated the Golden State Warriors then had their season ended by the New Orleans Pelicans.

Monk came up just short of the Sixth Man of the Year Award, with winner Naz Reid receiving only two more first-place votes than him.

Monk was easily the Kings' most important pending free agent, and with a new deal for Brown, they are fully primed to bring back every major contributor to the team. The question now is if that's a good plan, as the team will have no shortage of competition in the West next season after finishing ninth in the conference last spring.