Monk was ranked as one of the top five intriguing free agent options to watch during this summer’s free agency season by Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey:
Monk is having a career year in Sacramento, averaging 15.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 5.2 assists on 44.9/37.2/80.5 splits. He is currently leading the latest odds to earn Sixth Man of the Year. He has been an essential component of the Kings’ offensive output overall and their second unit. Keeping him on the roster going into the summer should be this front office’s top priority.
It may become more challenging to keep Monk in purple in the end if he decides to “chase money” during his impending free agency, as per earlier reports. The Kings’ cap suggests they could give him a contract for about $72 million over four years, but the seven-year guard might consider accepting a higher offer from a rival team.
Continue to closely monitor Monk’s negotiations with Sacramento as the free agency period for this offseason draws near.
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Harrison Barnes is a “irreplaceable” veteran that Mike Brown, the Kings coach, wants back for the next campaign.
Harrison Barnes, 40, of the Sacramento Kings, gets ready for a TV interview following his team’s victory in Game 2 of their NBA playoff first-round series at Golden 1 Center on Monday, April 17, 2023. AMEZCUA HECTOR hamezcua@sacbee.com
Shortly before the NBA trade deadline in February, Harrison Barnes was described as irreplaceable by Kings coach Mike Brown. As the Kings got ready to play Game 3 of their first-round playoff series against the Golden State Warriors at Chase Center in San Francisco on Thursday, he repeated the action.
Barnes helped the Kings establish a 2-1 lead in their best-of-seven series against the Warriors by averaging 14.3 points and 4.7 rebounds in the opening three games. In Thursday’s 114-97 loss, he scored 17 points on 6-of-10 shooting and three 3-pointers. Game 4 is scheduled for Sunday.
Barnes has a four-year, $85 million contract that is nearing its end. This summer, he will be a free agent without restrictions. Although Brown stated that he wanted Barnes to come back, he acknowledged that the choice ultimately rests with Kings general manager Monte McNair and assistant general manager Wes Wilcox. This could be Barnes’ final season in Sacramento.
After being acquired by the Kings in a deal with the Dallas Mavericks in February 2019, Barnes, 30, is in his fifth season with the team. The team’s only player with significant playoff experience is the seasoned forward, who won an NBA championship with the Warriors in 2015.
“He’s extremely important to us, not only when he’s on the floor, not only when he’s late in a game, but even when he’s off the floor and going about our everyday business,” Brown stated. “Seeing how he manages his routine and that kind of stuff is really helpful for all of us, particularly our young guys, so I genuinely think his championship pedigree and the things he contributes both on and off the court make him irreplaceable.
He is very important to us, and we will keep doing so in the future. Following his statement that Barnes was irreplaceable, Brown was questioned more on whether to sign a new contract with Barnes for the upcoming season.
He’s unique,” Brown remarked. there being said, there is the region of Monte and Wes. At the end of the day, nobody in this league and this organization is going to be around forever, but HB is undoubtedly a man who has contributed significantly to what we’ve accomplished, and I sincerely hope that he continues to contribute significantly to our future.
