According to NBA insider Brett Siegel, the Timberwolves have held internal discussions with the Sacramento Kings regarding guard Malik Monk in the weeks leading up to the trade deadline. While talks have taken place, no formal offer has been submitted at this stage, leaving negotiations in an exploratory phase rather than active pursuit.

Minnesota currently appears to be the most interested team in Monk. Just weeks ago, the Warriors reportedly stepped away from trade interest involving both Monk and DeMar DeRozan, including scenarios that featured Jonathan Kuminga. That shift has opened the door for the Timberwolves to position themselves as the primary suitor.

From an asset perspective, Minnesota does have potential pieces to offer, including Jaden McDaniels, Julius Randle, or Naz Reid. While each carries name recognition and rotational value, inconsistency has limited their overall impact. The situation is further complicated by the Timberwolves’ lack of tradable first-round draft capital, as the NBA franchise owes picks to Utah in 2027 and 2029, and to San Antonio in 2031.

Other Timberwolves targets

Another ambitious name on Minnesota’s radar is Giannis Antetokounmpo, a move that would dramatically reshape the franchise. The Athletic’s Sam Amick previously reported that New York, Miami, Golden State, and Minnesota have emerged as the four serious suitors. ESPN’s Brian Windhorst later added that Minnesota’s interest is mutual, noting that Antetokounmpo himself is intrigued by the Timberwolves as a potential destination.

Minnesota’s aggressive approach is largely driven by president of basketball operations, Tim Connelly. Connelly has already demonstrated a willingness to take bold risks, including trading Karl-Anthony Towns following the best season in franchise history. Unlike other executives who hesitate over draft capital and long-term depth, Connelly has shown he is prepared to place multiple rotation players on the table to force Milwaukee into difficult decisions.

However, draft limitations once again present a major obstacle. Minnesota can offer swap rights in 2028, but that value diminishes significantly if Antetokounmpo were willing to extend long-term. San Antonio already controls swap rights in 2030, while Minnesota’s 2032 first-round pick remains frozen due to second-apron restrictions last season. As a result, a pick-heavy trade package from Minnesota is largely off the table, making any blockbuster deal considerably more complex.

Malik Monk was reportedly on his way out of Sacramento, as the Kings were said to be exploring trade options to create space for unrestricted free agent Russell Westbrook. Early indications suggested that general manager Scott Perry and head coach Doug Christie were aligned on adding Westbrook as a key sixth-man option for the roster.

Yet the tone has shifted. While the Kings remain interested in bringing Westbrook to Sacramento, reports now suggest they are not willing to part ways with Monk to make it happen. Instead, they are exploring alternative pathways to open up a spot in the backcourt while keeping their current core intact.

“The Kings have maintained an interest in Russell Westbrook, sources say. They have indeed explored the possibility of creating a backcourt opening for Westbrook by other means rather than dealing Monk,” reported NBA insider Marc Stein on The Stein Line.

Earlier this offseason, Sacramento’s reported pursuit of Westbrook was downplayed as it secured Dennis Schroder and Zach LaVine, seemingly solidifying its guard rotation. However, that no longer appears to be a limiting factor, as the Kings are evaluating roster depth and leaving the door open for Westbrook.

Schroder, who arrived this summer after Sacramento’s ninth-place finish in the Western Conference, has already played a significant role in reshaping the roster. The Kings are also confident they can push to add both Jonathan Kuminga and Westbrook, with the Golden State Warriors reportedly losing leverage in potential Kuminga negotiations.

Monk, meanwhile, has continued to prove his value in Sacramento. The athletic guard transitioned from bench contributor to regular starter last season, averaging 17.2 points, 5.6 assists, and 3.8 rebounds across 65 games, including 45 starts. His production has made him a difficult piece for the Kings to sacrifice in pursuit of roster flexibility.

As for Westbrook, he remains a proven option. Last NBA season with the Denver Nuggets, he averaged 13.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 6.1 assists while accepting a veteran-minimum deal. In Denver, he thrived as a secondary ball handler, stabilizing the offense and even showing flashes as a starter. That versatility is exactly what keeps Sacramento, and potentially others, in the mix for his services.

The Lakers didn’t make it to the NBA players nor even the Play-In Tournament. Which started a lot of questions inside and outside the lockeroom. Therefore, Darvin Ham was appointed as the new Lakers’ head coach. When the NBA Summer League started, Westbrook was seenvery far away from his Lakers’ teammate LeBron James. Which started some rumors about their future as a team.

Since then, the rumors have started to spread about Westbrook being the player assigned to leave for a trade for Kyrie Irving. However, this dealhasn’t even closed yet. But, a player who was inside that locker room last seaso talk about what holds for theLABig Three’s future in the upcoming NBA Season.

Former Laker’s player thinks LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook will work out

Malik Monk talked to TMZ Sports about what he thinks of his former teammates LeBron James, Anthony Davis and Russell Westbrook and the whole commitment issue situation in the Los Angeles Lakers. He answered, “Of course, the 2021-22 season was a mess for the Lakers — they missed the playoffs as AD missed a ton of games due to injury … and Russ’ production was a serious issue.”

However, he thinks “Especially when they have convos like that, it’ll work out for them. They all great.“, he added. Also he said that “LeBron had a big part of everything,he had a big part in me coming to L.A“. This because last season was Monk’s best season in his career.

The Jonsboro-born playeraveraged 13points, 3rebounds and 2 assists in 76 games in the 2021-22 NBA Season. Which was his 5th season as an NBA player, and what ended up being his ticket to a2-year-deal worth$19 million-dollarswith the Sacramento Kings for the upcoming season.