The Cleveland Cavaliers are standing pat with a full roster of 15 players as they gear up for the playoffs, showing confidence in their current lineup. While no immediate changes are on the horizon, one intriguing possibility is extending the contract of their recent acquisition, Keon Ellis. Under the NBA’s “trade-and-extend” rules, the Cavs could offer Ellis a three-year, $52 million deal, averaging $17.3 million annually.
Ellis has been a hot commodity, drawing interest from more than a dozen teams before the trade deadline. The former Alabama standout made a splash in his second season, earning a spot in the rotation and shining in the Play-In Tournament against the Golden State Warriors. His impressive 43.3 percent shooting from beyond the arc over 80 games, with 28 starts, only added to his allure.
However, Ellis found himself out of favor with Sacramento Kings head coach Doug Christie, following Mike Brown’s departure. Averaging just 17.6 minutes per game, he was overshadowed by players like Russell Westbrook, Dennis Schroder, and Nique Clifford.
Cleveland saw an opportunity and seized it. With Ellis earning a modest $2.3 million this season, he was an attractive trade target for contenders. The Cavaliers, willing to absorb Dennis Schroder’s contract and possessing De’Andre Hunter, whom the Kings surprisingly coveted, managed to secure Ellis.
Now, the Cavaliers have the chance to lock Ellis into a long-term deal, avoiding the uncertainties of free agency. If he excels in the playoffs, his market value could soar, posing a challenge for a team already navigating the constraints of the second luxury tax apron.
Yet, there’s risk involved. Ellis’s struggles in Sacramento might resurface, potentially making him a less reliable option. With Max Strus and Sam Merrill already on multi-year deals in similar roles, committing to another long-term contract could complicate matters if Ellis doesn’t meet expectations.
For Ellis, the decision is equally complex. Should he secure the guaranteed money now, or bet on himself to earn a bigger contract with a strong playoff performance? Having earned around $5 million in his career, the prospect of life-changing money is tempting, but not without its uncertainties.
The Cavaliers and Ellis have the entire season to reach an agreement, and they might choose to evaluate his fit before making a commitment. With their roster otherwise settled, extending Ellis seems like the logical next step-if both sides can find common ground.