Report: Kyle Kuzma Could Be Traded For Malik Monk

The Milwaukee Bucks and the Sacramento Kings have figured heavily in trade talks over the past several weeks. If a new report is to be believed, these two teams might be doing business with each other before the February 5 trade deadline.

According to Forbes’ Evan Sidery, there’s a possibility that a couple of veteran scorers will switch places. “The Bucks and Kings have explored the possibility of a Kyle Kuzma for Malik Monk swap,” Sidery tweeted on Tuesday.

Both players mentioned in this report could use a change of scenery to freshen things up. In his first full season with the Bucks, the 6-foot-8 Kuzma has seen a decline in his shot attempts and his scoring average. From 14.9 ppg last season (which he split between the Bucks and his former team, the Washington Wizards), Kuzma now averages just 12.5 ppg for Milwaukee.

Monk has spent a significantly longer time with the Kings, but he is putting up the worst scoring numbers of his Sacramento stint (12.5 points per outing). Interestingly, the nine-year pro is shooting his most efficient clip from beyond the arc at 42.7%.

A number of factors have contributed to the dip in Kuzma’s and Monk’s performances, but a new chapter in their respective careers could revitalize them midway through the 2025-26 season. Kuzma could get more touches on a Kings squad that looks disoriented on the offensive end from time to time, while Monk gives the Bucks another shot-maker (something that they would need even more urgently if Giannis Antetokounmpo decides to leave town).

Interestingly, Sidery mentioned another team that could be part of this conversation, but chose not to: “ Sacramento is still chasing Jonathan Kuminga, and the Warriors are not interested in acquiring Kuzma or Monk. In the end, it could just be a two-team framework involving Kuzma and Monk.”

The Kuminga situation in Golden State could add another wrinkle to these trade talks, but for now, a one-on-one deal sending Kuzma to Sacramento and Monk to Milwaukee looks more likely.