Keon Ellis Heads to Cleveland, Not Boston - And That Matters in the East
The Boston Celtics had their eyes on Keon Ellis. The defensive-minded guard out of Sacramento was on their radar heading into the weekend, part of a group of teams - including the Lakers, Pacers, and Spurs - in the mix for his services. But by the time the clock neared midnight on the East Coast, Ellis was off the board.
Instead, he’s heading to Cleveland.
The Cavaliers pulled off a three-team deal to land Ellis along with veteran guard Dennis Schroder. Sacramento, in return, receives De’Andre Hunter. The third team involved, the Chicago Bulls, takes on Dario Saric’s contract and picks up two future second-rounders for their trouble.
Beyond the player movement, the Cavs also created $50 million in salary and tax savings this season - a significant financial win for a team looking to stay competitive while managing its books.
A Target Turned Rival
For Boston, Ellis wasn’t just a speculative fit - he was a real possibility. With his elite perimeter defense and efficient three-point shooting, he would’ve slotted in as a valuable two-way piece.
At 6-foot-4, Ellis brings energy, quick hands, and a knack for disrupting opposing guards. This season, he’s averaging 1.1 steals in just 17.6 minutes per game - a number that mirrors his career average.
He’s not someone who needs the ball in his hands to make an impact, which would’ve made him a seamless addition to a Celtics team that already has its primary creators in place.
Offensively, he’s a solid floor spacer. Ellis is shooting 36.8% from beyond the arc this year on 3.3 attempts per game - right in line with his career average of 41.5%. That kind of shooting, paired with his defensive chops, makes him the kind of role player contenders love to have in their rotation come playoff time.
But while Boston’s interest made sense, fitting Ellis into the current roster would’ve required some maneuvering. If acquiring him meant moving someone like Anfernee Simons, the Celtics would’ve been sacrificing shot creation and ball-handling - two areas where Ellis doesn’t bring much to the table.
Even if the two could’ve coexisted, adding Ellis without subtracting anyone else would’ve created a logjam in the backcourt. That’s not ideal for a team already trying to balance minutes across a deep and talented rotation.
The cleanest version of an Ellis addition would’ve involved multiple moving parts: Jayson Tatum returning to the lineup, Simons being dealt for a center, and Payton Pritchard sliding back into a sixth-man role. But with Pritchard thriving as a starter and no guarantee on Tatum’s timeline, banking on that scenario would’ve been a risky play.
Cleveland’s Calculated Swing
For the Cavaliers, the move is more than just a depth play. They’re 7-3 in their last 10 games and currently sit fifth in the Eastern Conference at 29-21. This is a team that, despite an uneven start, is still in the thick of the playoff hunt - and in a wide-open East, they’ve got a legitimate shot to make noise.
Adding Ellis and Schroder gives Cleveland a defensive boost and a steady veteran presence in the backcourt. Schroder, a former Celtic himself, brings playoff experience and can fill minutes at either guard spot. Ellis, meanwhile, gives them a lockdown defender who can take on tough assignments and knock down open shots - the kind of player who can swing a playoff series by winning a few key possessions.
The cost? De’Andre Hunter, a player Cleveland had high hopes for after acquiring him ahead of last year’s deadline. But Hunter hasn’t quite lived up to expectations, and with the Cavs looking to retool on the fly, this deal gives them more versatility and a better fit for their current needs.
Why It Matters for Boston
This isn’t just about missing out on a player. It’s about where that player ended up.
Cleveland is a direct competitor. If the Celtics are going to make a deep postseason run, there’s a good chance they’ll have to go through the Cavaliers at some point. And now, instead of adding Ellis to their own defensive arsenal, they’ll have to find a way to get past him.
Boston’s in a strong position - no need to panic. But in a conference where the margins are razor-thin and playoff matchups can hinge on role players, this is the kind of move that could matter down the line.
Ellis may not have been a perfect fit in Boston. But in Cleveland? He might be exactly what they needed.