Keon Ellis might not be the biggest name on the trade market, but make no mistake-he’s drawing real interest from teams looking to shore up their backcourt depth and add a reliable shooter before the deadline.
According to league buzz, the Knicks, Celtics, Timberwolves, and Pacers are among the teams keeping tabs on the Kings guard. And they’re not alone. The Lakers, Sixers, Pistons, Raptors, and Warriors have also been linked to Ellis, who’s on an expiring $2.3 million deal-an easy financial fit for just about any front office looking to add a low-cost contributor with upside.
So what’s the appeal? Ellis’ numbers this season don’t exactly jump off the page-he’s averaging 5.5 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 0.6 assists per game, shooting 39.2% from the field and 36.4% from three.
But those numbers don’t tell the whole story. He’s shown flashes, including a 21-point performance against the Mavericks on December 27, where he knocked down five triples and looked every bit the part of a microwave scorer off the bench.
And when you zoom out, there’s a more compelling case. Ellis has been a consistent threat from beyond the arc throughout his four NBA seasons, shooting 41.5% from deep for his career.
He’s hit over 40% from three in two of those seasons, including a career-best 43.3% last year when he started 28 games for the Kings and played nearly 25 minutes per night. That version of Ellis averaged 8.3 points and 1.5 assists-a solid return for a player who went undrafted out of Alabama just a few years ago.
Sacramento’s decision not to extend him last offseason put him firmly on the trade radar, and the team is reportedly seeking a first-round pick in return. That’s a steep ask for a player with modest counting stats, but the league values shooting, and Ellis has proven he can knock it down at a high clip. His ability to space the floor, defend multiple positions, and play within a system makes him a plug-and-play option for contenders looking to round out their rotation.
The Kings, sitting at 12-35 and near the bottom of the Western Conference standings, are clearly in sell mode. Whether they get the first-rounder they’re asking for remains to be seen, but with so many teams circling, it’s a safe bet Ellis won’t be in Sacramento much longer.
He’s the kind of under-the-radar move that could pay dividends in April and May. Don’t be surprised if we’re talking about Keon Ellis as one of the sneaky-good pickups of the trade deadline once the dust settles.