While hosting his first basketball camp in Sacramento, Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis was all smiles when reporters asked him about his team’s offseason.

And why not? The Kings added DeMar DeRozan, a six-time All-Star, in a sign-and-trade. They re-signed Malik Monk, who turned down higher offers to stay with the franchise. After finishing ninth in the Western Conference last season, Sacramento now appears to be on course to return to the playoffs.

Kings Fulcrum analyzes the transfers of Malik Monk and DeMar DeRozan

When asked about his assessment of the Kings’ ability to pull off the DeRozan deal, Sabonis said he was “excited … and happy he’s here.”

“At that point, nothing was working, so I was a little frustrated,” he admits.

A conversation with Domantas Sabonis about the Kings keeping Malik Monk, training with new signing DeMar DeRozan in LA last week, how DeRozan is doing, whether player camp starts in San Diego on Monday and whether he will host his first camp in Sacramento. pic.twitter.com/eS0oMy9ITS

— Sean Cunningham (@SeanCunningham) 25 August 2024

Then came the real question.

Sabonis has made a name for himself as one of the best dribble handoff (DHO) players in the league. This action usually results in players launching from the perimeter or charging into the box. However, DeRozan’s specialty is sizing up players and scoring in the midfield.

So how does DeRozan fit into the offense?

“I think it will be good for us,” Sabonis replies. “It will make us think differently on the court, move differently (and) really understand each other. Because we’re used to playing one style, but he’s doing something at a Hall of Fame level that we need to experiment with…”

“It makes it much harder for other teams to defend against us… we can basically score from anywhere.”

“…He’s a very smart player who’s been in the league forever and has accomplished so much,” added the eight-year veteran. “I’m excited to learn from him and listen to him, and I hope everyone else is too…”

Malik Monk’s role

Regarding Monk’s decision to stay with the Kings, Sabonis says he was “actually very surprised that he stayed…”

“I talked to him a lot over the course of the year and thought we had really lost him, but I’m glad he stayed. I think it’s the best decision for him and for us.”

…I’m glad he’s here. He’s one of the most important players on our team. Having him both on and off the field over the last two years has helped us a lot.”

Monk is now considered one of the NBA’s best reserve players after two top-five finishes and being named Sixth Man of the Year. He now has his eye on a starting position. What that might look like is unclear. Although he has made 37.5 percent of his catch-and-shoot threes over the past two seasons, he feels more comfortable scoring off the dribble. With DeRozan, Sabonis and De’Aaron Fox in the starting lineup and needing the ball in their hands as well, that could be a tricky situation.

Still, there is no doubt that Monk has made the Kings a better team.

On the pitch, his scoring instinct and playmaking skills have made their offense more dynamic. The firepower he brings off the bench helps them survive the minutes without a star scorer. Off the pitch, Monk strengthens the team with his positive attitude. And the fact that he’s a true friend of Fox’s doesn’t hurt either. In a long and exhausting season, he’s the type of person who can help them get through difficult periods.