Ex-laker Monk fitting in with Kings

LOS ANGELES >> The cut is long since healed. But for Malik Monk, it’s less of a band aid, and more of a fashion statement.

Taking some bandages decorated with animated characters — from a member of the coaching staff with young twins — Monk has made an on-court injury into a running gag of sorts. But that’s the kind of player the 24-year-old has been for the Sacramento Kings: lively, loud and keeping the team together in a light-hearted way.

Kings coach Mike Brown sees that as an essential component for a young group that wants to break a postseason drought of 16 years, the longest in North American pro sports.

“People probably may not look at him like this because he’s so young, and he’s bounced around as a young guy, but he knows how to lead,” Brown said. “He uplifts the group. He’s fun-loving. He’s always messing with somebody, and guys really really enjoy that, and you need that when you’re together as much as we are.”

The Lakers know that side of Monk well: He was a breakout role player on an otherwise disappointing team last season, parlaying that into a $9.5 million contract this summer with the Kings — who boast quite a few Kentucky Wildcats including his college teammate De’aaron Fox.

But Monk (12.2 ppg, 4.4 apg) acknowledges he wouldn’t be the contributor he is for the Kings without his tenure with the Lakers.

“That’s a big part of it actually, being around AD, being around Bron, being around Russ — all them guys is great,” Monk said. “They’re great leaders in different ways ... I just tried to take little pieces of that and apply it to me. And it’s been working for me.”

A gunner like Monk (38.3% on 3-pointers) would have been welcome on a team that’s struggled to shoot like the Lakers. But after signing him to a minimum deal in 2021, the Lakers could have only offered him the mid level exception ($6.5 million) at most.

Monk remains friendly with all of his former teammates still on the roster, he said. Anthony Davis mockingly roasted Monk after the Lakers’ preseason home tilt against the Kings — to which Monk replied: “AD just be talking, man. I don’t be worried about him when he talks.” He’s close with Wenyen Gabriel, another college teammate. He wants to get a summer vacation together with his fellow Arkansas native, Austin Reaves.

But Monk is also comfortable where he is, with the Kings trying to lead a younger group. He said he doesn’t think about what could have been with the Lakers — he’s got a wellestablished role with his new team, too.

“They actually want to listen, want to be great and learn to get better just like I do,” he said. “So we all bought in, and it makes it a lot easier when everybody’s all bought in to one goal, cause we all want to get to the playoffs of course, so it’s been great.”

Schroder, Bryant closer to comeback

The two free agents who have yet to play after getting thumb surgeries right before the season are nearing a return: The Lakers said both are progressing well in their rehab assignments and will be reevaluated on Thursday.

The Lakers have an unusual four-day gap between games on Sunday against Brooklyn and next Friday against Detroit. In general, the team is hopeful they can get healthier in that stretch with Lebron James also on the mend with a left adductor strain.