Lakers Trade Deadline Watch: Why Keon Ellis Could Be the Smart, Sneaky Move L.A. Needs
December 15th didn’t just mark the official start of the holiday season in the NBA-it also opened the door for teams to trade players who signed free-agent deals this past offseason. That’s when the real trade chatter starts to heat up, and with the G League Winter Showcase right around the corner, front offices are already deep into roster evaluations. For a team like the Los Angeles Lakers, this is the moment to take a hard look in the mirror and figure out what kind of move could elevate them from “solid” to “serious contender” before the trade deadline hits.
Right now, the Lakers are sitting at 18-7, good enough for third in the Western Conference. That’s a strong start by any measure. But in a conference where the Oklahoma City Thunder have looked like they’re playing a different game entirely, the Lakers know that “good” won’t be good enough come playoff time.
Let’s be clear: there’s no magic trade that’s going to instantly close the gap between L.A. and OKC. The Thunder have built their roster methodically-through smart drafting, savvy trades, and internal development.
The Lakers aren’t going to leapfrog them overnight. But what they can do is make a move that nudges them closer to that level.
A move that helps them sharpen their identity and address the gaps that could be the difference between a second-round exit and a legitimate Finals run.
At Tuesday’s practice, Lakers head coach JJ Redick cut right to the chase when asked about how players can best complement Luka Doncic, the team’s centerpiece. “Defend and shoot threes,” he said.
Simple. Direct. And exactly the kind of blueprint that should guide the Lakers’ trade deadline strategy.
The Trade Target: Keon Ellis
The Lakers have been tied to a few notable 3-and-D names in recent months-Andrew Wiggins and Herb Jones among them. Both fit the mold of what L.A. needs, but both also come with complications.
The asking price for either would be steep, and the Lakers’ asset pool isn’t exactly overflowing. In Jones’ case, there’s not even a clear indication that the Pelicans are willing to move him.
That’s why the Lakers may need to shift their focus to a more attainable, under-the-radar option. Enter Keon Ellis.
Ellis, a guard for the Sacramento Kings, could be exactly the type of low-cost, high-upside addition the Lakers need. Sacramento has struggled to find consistency as the season’s reached the quarter mark, and there are signs they may be sellers at the deadline. Ellis, whose role has fluctuated amid the coaching transition from Mike Brown to Doug Christie, is one of the players who could be available.
And here’s the thing: when Ellis does get regular minutes, he’s been one of the Kings’ better defenders. According to StatMuse, he ranks top-five in defensive rating among Sacramento’s standard contract players, sitting at 118.4. That’s not elite by league-wide standards, but on a team that’s struggled defensively, it stands out.
More importantly, Ellis checks the second box in Redick’s formula-he can shoot the three. This season, he’s hitting 37% from beyond the arc on about three attempts per game.
That’s solid. And it’s not a fluke.
Last season, he took a career-high four threes per game and knocked them down at a blistering 43.3% clip.
Why Ellis Makes Sense for the Lakers
Let’s talk fit. The Lakers don’t need a star.
They already have Luka Doncic leading the charge. What they need are role players who can stay on the floor in big moments-guys who won’t get hunted on defense and can stretch the floor on offense.
Ellis fits that mold. He’s athletic, he competes defensively, and he’s shown he can knock down open shots.
He’s not going to demand the ball, and he’s not going to break the bank in terms of salary or trade assets. That’s a rare combination, especially for a Lakers team that has to be mindful of both the cap sheet and the long-term asset chest.
And while Ellis isn’t a household name, that’s kind of the point. Championship teams are often built on the backs of smart, under-the-radar additions.
Think Bruce Brown with the Nuggets. Think Donte DiVincenzo’s impact with the Knicks.
These aren’t blockbuster moves, but they’re the kind that win playoff games.
The Bottom Line
The Lakers are in a good spot. But “good” doesn’t win titles. If they want to take the next step-if they want to build a roster that can hang with Oklahoma City in a seven-game series-they need to get better on the margins.
Keon Ellis might not be the headline-grabbing name fans are dreaming of, but he fits exactly what JJ Redick is preaching: defend and shoot threes. He’s a plug-and-play wing who could give the Lakers the kind of defensive versatility and floor spacing they’ll need when the games slow down and the matchups get tight.
If the Kings are indeed open for business, the Lakers would be wise to make a call.