Keon Ellis Drawing Trade Buzz - Could the Lakers Make a Move?
With the NBA’s unofficial trade season tipping off on December 15, one name has started to quietly generate buzz across front offices: Keon Ellis. The Sacramento Kings guard isn’t a household name yet, but don’t let that fool you - teams are calling, and the interest is real.
One of those teams? The Los Angeles Lakers.
If Rob Pelinka and the Lakers are serious about bolstering their perimeter defense and adding a reliable 3-and-D presence, Ellis might be the kind of under-the-radar acquisition that pays big dividends. But prying him away from a division rival like Sacramento won’t come cheap.
The Trade Market Is Heating Up
According to NBA insider Marc Stein, the Kings are already fielding calls for Ellis. On a recent episode of the ALL NBA Podcast, Stein noted that Sacramento’s front office is weighing whether Ellis is a piece worth keeping long-term or someone they could flip for value before the February trade deadline.
“Their phones are already ringing for Keon Ellis,” Stein said. “The Kings are going to have to decide: do we want to part with him - someone who you can probably construct a net-positive trade for between now and the deadline - or is that a player they want to keep for the future?”
That’s a big decision for a team still figuring out its identity this season. While Keegan Murray and Nique Clifford are reportedly off-limits, the Kings appear open to just about everything else - including, it seems, Ellis.
Why Ellis Makes Sense for the Lakers
From a fit perspective, Ellis checks a lot of boxes for Los Angeles. He’s a 6-foot-3 combo guard with the kind of defensive tenacity and perimeter shooting that the Lakers have been craving. With L.A. still searching for lineup consistency and struggling to contain opposing guards, Ellis would bring a much-needed injection of energy and versatility on the defensive end.
He also brings shooting - and not just the theoretical kind. Last season, Ellis averaged 8.3 points in just under 25 minutes per game, hitting 43.3% from three and adding 1.5 steals per night. That’s efficient two-way production from a player who doesn’t need the ball to make an impact.
But this year, things have shifted. Ellis’ role in Sacramento has diminished significantly.
Over the last five games, he’s logged more than 10 minutes just once and didn’t see the floor at all in the Kings’ November 22 matchup against the Denver Nuggets. It’s a puzzling development for a player who proved he could contribute when given the opportunity.
And that’s where the trade intrigue comes in. For a Kings team off to a 5-16 start, decisions about the future are looming. If Ellis is no longer part of the long-term plan, it makes sense for Sacramento to explore his value now - especially with multiple teams reportedly circling.
Can the Lakers Compete in the Bidding?
The big question: do the Lakers have the assets to make a compelling offer?
In isolation, sure. Los Angeles has movable contracts, a few intriguing young players, and future picks - the kind of ingredients that can form the basis of a respectable trade package. But in a crowded market where other contenders are also looking to beef up their depth, it’s not just about what you offer - it’s about how your offer stacks up.
Ellis might not command a blockbuster return, but his skill set - a defensive-minded guard who can stretch the floor - is tailor-made for playoff basketball. That makes him especially valuable to teams with championship aspirations, and that drives the price up.
For the Lakers, who are always balancing the win-now pressure of the LeBron James era with the need to preserve future flexibility, this could be a tricky needle to thread. But if they believe Ellis can be a difference-maker in the rotation - especially on the defensive end - it might be worth the gamble.
The Bottom Line
Keon Ellis isn’t a superstar, but he’s the kind of player who can quietly swing playoff games - the guy who guards the opposing team’s best scorer, knocks down a corner three, and keeps the offense flowing without needing touches. That’s why teams are calling. And that’s why the Lakers, if they’re serious, will need to come correct with their offer.
Trade season is just getting started, but Ellis’ name is already one to watch.