In order to make room for Westbrook s franchise, the King might send Monk or Carter away?

According to Carmichael Dave, a local media person in Sacramento, Russell Westbrook has an 80% chance of joining the Kings, and he is also likely to partner with Dennis Schroder again next season.

Subsequently, Sacramento local media ABC10 (KXTV) reporter Matt George talked about the King's current salary situation. George said that it is basically well known that Westbrook and the Kings have been negotiating since the free agent market opened, and both sides are interested in each other. According to the news obtained by George, if the King wants to introduce Westbrook, the first thing he needs to do is to trade one of Malik Monk or Devin Carter. There are too many players on the back line at the moment, and in terms of salary, they don’t have much room for flexibility. Currently, the King's total salary is $7.3 million away from the No. 1 Rich Line. In the 2025-26 season, Monk's salary was $18.8 million and Carter's salary was $4.92 million.

In the NBA regular season last season, Westbrook made a total of 75 appearances in 82 games, averaging 27.9 minutes per game, averaging 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 1.4 steals and 0.5 blocks, and 3.2 turnovers and 2.5 fouls, shooting percentage of 44.9%, three-point shooting percentage of 32.3%, and free throw shooting percentage of 66.1%. In the playoffs, Westbrook made a total of 14 appearances, averaging 24.1 minutes per game, averaging 11.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.1 blocks. He also had 2.3 turnovers and 3.2 fouls. His shooting percentage was 39.1%, three-point shooting percentage was 31.7%, and his free throw shooting percentage was 70%.

Judging from the player's personal abilities and development, Monk is obviously far better than Westbrook's current abilities. As for Monk's salary, with his personal ability, this is not very high, and it can even be said to be a relatively cost-effective contract. With Monk's ability, he can play the role of the sixth man well in the league. As for Carter, although his performance was mediocre last season, he was also the lottery pick by the King of the Chinese at last year's NBA Draft, and his defensive ability is also relatively reliable. It sounds like something incredible to send him away after only one season. The Kings' recent operations are really a bit too psychedelic. For example, De 'Aaron Fox, who is clearly a No. 1 player in the league's best team, but the Kings sent him away without any alternative. If they still want to send Monk away for Westbrook, it would sound like a hilarious operation.