Malik Monk might be taking home some hardware to commemorate his special campaign as the Kings' spark plug off the bench during the 2023-24 NBA season.
Monk was voted as one of three finalists for the 2023-24 NBA Sixth Man of the Year award along with Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis and Minnesota Timberwolves forward Naz Reid, the league announced Sunday afternoon.
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The criteria for the Sixth Man of the Year award is that a player must have come of the bench in more games than they started, while playing a minimum of 65 regular-season games. Monk came off the bench in all 72 of his appearances this season for Sacramento, clearing the 65-game threshold comfortably despite being sidelined with an MCL injury down the stretch.
The 26-year-old guard averaged career-highs with15.4 points and 5.1 assists in 26.0 minutes per game while operating as the Kings' sixth man this season. Monk's ability to create instant offense both as a scorer and facilitator off the bench served as a key cog in Sacramento's success during the 2023-24 campaign.
With Monk set to hit unrestricted free agency this summer, his nomination for the Sixth Man of the Year award serves as a humbling reminder of just how valuable his services are to the Kings and the other teams that are sure to be vying for his services.