Sabonis 'surprised' Monk re-signed with Kings

Kings forward Domantas Sabonis wasn't expecting Malik Monk to return to Sacramento over the summer.

"I was actually very surprised (he stayed)," Sabonis said Sunday, according to James Ham of The Kings Beat. "I was talking to him a lot during the year, and I thought we really lost him, but I'm happy he stayed."

Regarded as one of the top guards on the market, Monk avoided free agency by signing a four-year, $78-million contract with the Kings. The franchise held Monk's exclusive negotiating rights and could offer the 26-year-old a deal between the end of the NBA Finals and free agency's start.

The runner-up for last season's Sixth Man of the Year, Monk averaged a career-best 15.4 points, 5.1 assists, and 2.9 rebounds.

The Kings missed the postseason in 2023-24 after breaking their 16-year drought the prior campaign. Sacramento added former All-Star DeMar DeRozan over the summer to pair alongside Sabonis, Monk, and De'Aaron Fox.