Malik Monk finished second in the Sixth Man of the Year race, but he could have won it had he not sprained his MCL the last few weeks of the season. He was having a career year, averaging highs in points and assists.

Even though Monk is coming off an injury, there will be a market for a guard of his caliber, especially off the bench. The Kings cannot afford to lose him. He has played the role of a reserve playmaker and has helped to keep Sacramento’s attack flowing when Fox has gone to the bench.

Monk’s past two-year, $18 million deal looks like a bargain now, and he has more than deserved a raise. Having signed just a two-year deal, the Kings only have Monk’s early bird rights, which limits them to signing him to a four-year $78-millon deal. Even though that is a healthy raise for Monk, it might be a problem if a team makes a big run at him.