With the NBA trade season heating up, the Lakers find themselves in a familiar position: searching for reinforcements to round out a roster that’s still trying to find its identity. One name that’s surfaced in league chatter is Kings guard Keon Ellis - a player who’s quietly become one of the more polarizing figures on the trade market.
According to league sources, the asking price for Ellis is a protected first-round pick. That’s a steep tag for a player who’s not a household name, but there’s a reason teams are intrigued.
Ellis, who turns 26 next month, brings two things every contender covets: defense and efficient shooting. He’s a career 41.8% shooter from deep and is on the books for just $2.3 million next season - a bargain in today’s cap-tight landscape.
But the league is split on what Ellis actually brings to the table.
One executive reportedly called him “maybe the most divisive player in the league,” and that label fits. Scouts around the NBA see the upside - the defensive tools, the shooting stroke, the low cost - but the Kings’ coaching staff hasn’t fully bought in.
After starting 28 games and logging over 24 minutes per game last season, Ellis has seen his role shrink this year. He’s averaging just 17.6 minutes and has only started twice, a clear signal that something isn’t clicking in Sacramento.
The skepticism stems from a few key areas. Some evaluators believe Ellis’ defense is more disruptive than lockdown - he can create turnovers, but may struggle to stay in front of elite guards or switch onto bigger wings. Others point to his size as a limiting factor in matchups, especially in playoff scenarios where physicality and versatility are at a premium.
There’s also the contract situation. Ellis will hit unrestricted free agency this summer unless he signs an extension before February 9. That means any team trading for him is rolling the dice - if he doesn’t stick, they could lose him for nothing in July.
Still, Ellis is on the Lakers’ radar, and it’s easy to see why. This team could use another perimeter defender, especially one who can knock down shots and doesn’t eat up cap space. The Lakers’ defense has been inconsistent, and adding a wing who can space the floor and guard multiple positions would help stabilize their rotation.
But Ellis isn’t the only name being floated. The Lakers are reportedly keeping tabs on a number of other potential targets, including Pelicans forward Herbert Jones, Heat forward Andrew Wiggins, Clippers wing Derrick Jones Jr., Nets guard Terance Mann, Hornets wing Josh Green, and Bulls guard Ayo Dosunmu. Not all of those players are guaranteed to be available - and even if they are, the price might be too high.
That’s where things get tricky for Los Angeles. The Lakers only have one tradable first-round pick - either in 2031 or 2032 - plus a second-rounder in 2032.
They can offer a few pick swaps, but the asset cupboard isn’t exactly overflowing. Rookie Dalton Knecht, a first-rounder from 2024, has seen his value dip after falling out of JJ Redick’s regular rotation this fall, making him less of a trade chip than the Lakers might’ve hoped.
So while Ellis may not be the splashiest name on the board, he represents a realistic target - one that fits both the Lakers’ needs and their limited means. Whether they’re willing to meet Sacramento’s price is another question.
But with the clock ticking toward the trade deadline, every option is on the table. And for a team looking to make a push in a crowded Western Conference, even the most divisive player in the league might be worth the gamble.