The Cleveland Cavaliers are exploring ways to bolster their backcourt depth ahead of the 2026 NBA trade deadline, and Sacramento Kings guard Keon Ellis has emerged as a potential target.
According to multiple reports, Cleveland has expressed interest in acquiring Ellis, a 26-year-old guard who brings a steady 3-and-D presence. With the trade deadline set for February 5 at 3 p.m. ET, the clock is ticking for teams looking to fine-tune their rosters for the stretch run-and Ellis could be one of the more attainable pieces on the market.
Ellis, currently in the final year of his contract and earning $2.3 million this season, has been a rotation player for the Kings. He’s averaging 5.5 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 0.6 assists per game while shooting 39.5% from the field and a respectable 36.2% from three-point range.
He’s not a high-usage guy, but that’s not what Cleveland would be looking for. What Ellis offers is defensive versatility, spot-up shooting, and the kind of low-maintenance, high-effort game that fits well on a team with established stars.
The Kings, sitting 14th in the Western Conference, are in a different phase of their season-and maybe their franchise trajectory. With the playoffs looking like a long shot, Sacramento appears willing to move Ellis, who has spent his entire NBA career with the team and holds career averages of 6.3 points, 2.0 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game.
For Cleveland, the situation is quite different. After a sluggish start, the Cavaliers have found their rhythm.
They’ve won five straight and now sit in fifth place in the East with a 29-20 record. That’s a significant turnaround for a team that had high expectations coming into the season after finishing atop the conference standings last year.
Still, their playoff run ended earlier than hoped, falling to the Indiana Pacers in the second round in just five games.
Adding a player like Ellis wouldn’t be a blockbuster move, but it could be a smart one. The Cavs don’t necessarily need to swing for the fences-they need reliable depth, especially on the perimeter.
Ellis brings that. He’s not going to dominate the box score, but he can knock down open looks, defend multiple positions, and fit into a team-first system without disrupting chemistry.
At this point in his career, Ellis may be better suited for a winning environment, and Cleveland offers just that. For a team looking to make a deeper playoff push, small moves like this can make a big difference when the postseason intensity ramps up.
We’ll see if Cleveland pulls the trigger before the deadline, but keep an eye on this one. It’s the kind of under-the-radar deal that could quietly pay dividends come April.