Rockets must consider trade for surprising guard if he shakes loose

The Houston Rockets are often linked to guards in trade rumors. If the Kings make Malik Monk available, they should consider making those rumors a reality.

There will be disagreement. For some, Monk will feel like a counterintuitive suggestion. The Rockets are desperate for a point guard. Monk is typically classified as an off-guard.

Why would they target him?

Rockets heading down an unconventional path

First question:

Are we sure Monk isn’t a point guard?

Fine - not exactly. Monk is most accurately classified as a combo guard. Here’s the more pertinent question: Do the Rockets need a traditional point guard? If they intend on running offense through Alperen Sengun, could Monk suffice?

Yes. In 2024-25, Monk averaged 6.5 assists per 75 possessions to go with 2.9 turnovers.

That’s not bad. Monk is still working to shed some preexisting notions about his game. He’s not a traditional floor general - you’d like the turnover rate to decrease - but he’s developed into a nifty passer.

He also provides a skill the Rockets badly need. Monk shot 43.4% from long-range last night. This is a player with tremendous three-point gravity. Arguably, defenses will respect him more than they do, say, Reed Sheppard.

On that note…

Rockets must consider making roster moves

Hypothetically, if the Rockets traded Sheppard for Monk, one-for-one, right now, they’d be a better team.

That’s undeniable. Monk has a little more length that would help him in Houston’s defensive coverages. He’s not a great defender either, but he shouldn’t be the same type of target that Sheppard has been.

That’s the unfortunate reality of Sheppard’s game. He tries defensively. He uses his quick hands to make plays. Ultimately, his size keeps him from defending well anyway.

Someday, he may overcome those limitations. The question isn’t whether that’s possible. It’s whether he can do it in the limited time frame the Rockets can provide him as a contender.

He has time. Sheppard isn’t even eligible to be traded before December 15. Likely, the Rockets will at least keep him up to the trade deadline.

If he’s still struggling by then, they may look at moving him. Something revolving around Sheppard-for-Monk could make sense for both the Rockets and the Kings. Given the age discrepancy, the Rockets may even pick up some assets if the Kings like Sheppard:

And Monk could be the missing piece that puts the Rockets in the title picture.