The Race for the NBA’s Sixth Man of the Year award is wide open

Malik Monk – Sacramento Kings

When Malik Monk agreed to a free-agent deal to play for the Sacramento Kings in the off-season, he was reunited with his college teammate De’Aaron Fox. Unlike Fox, Monk has bounced around the league since being drafted by the Charlotte Hornets back in 2017. However, he has now settled into the highly sought-after “3 and D” role that many front offices look for in an athletic wing player.

While Fox has become an All-Star and a foundational player for the surging Kings, Monk has established himself as a sparkplug off the bench. He is averaging 13.4 points and 3.9 assists while helping the team reach the number three position in the Western Conference standings. However, his impact is felt far beyond his stat line. Although he is a shooting guard, he is a good enough ballhandler that Head Coach Mike Brown feels comfortable inserting him into the game for either De’Aaron Fox or Kevin Huerter. Having a versatile backcourt player who can relieve both starters is a great luxury to have.

The Sacramento Kings haven’t qualified for the NBA Playoffs since 2007; that qualifies them for the longest playoff drought in the league. This season, they look poised to end that unfortunate streak of bad luck. While All-Stars Domantas Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox are primarily responsible for that, a great deal of credit goes to Sacramento’s role players as well. They have embraced their assignments and are starring in their roles. Malik Monk is a prime example; he could be awarded the Sixth Man of The Year award because of it.