As the NBA trade deadline looms on February 5, the Minnesota Timberwolves find themselves in a familiar spot: a contender with a glaring need to shore up the rotation. While much of the buzz has centered around the Wolves’ search for a point guard, the more immediate - and perhaps more fixable - issue lies on the wing. Minnesota’s bench ranks just 22nd in points per game and 28th in minutes, and the loss of Nickeil Alexander-Walker in free agency has left a void that’s lingered all season.
Enter Keon Ellis.
The Sacramento Kings wing has emerged as a potential trade target for the Wolves, and according to Kings insider James Ham, Minnesota is one of four teams that have reached out about Ellis. The others?
Indiana, Boston, and New York - all playoff-caliber squads looking to bolster their depth. That’s not a coincidence.
Ellis may not be a household name, but he fits the modern NBA mold: a 3-and-D wing who can contribute on both ends of the floor without needing the ball in his hands.
Let’s break down why Ellis makes sense for Minnesota - and why the Wolves may need to act fast.
A Need That Hasn’t Gone Away
Minnesota’s wing rotation has been in flux all season. Rookie Terrence Shannon Jr. was expected to help fill the gap left by Alexander-Walker, but injuries have derailed his rookie campaign - he’s missed 25 games and hasn’t been productive in the ones he’s played.
Jaylen Clark brings defensive toughness, but his offensive limitations have made it tough to rely on him in meaningful minutes. The result?
More pressure on Jaden McDaniels, who’s already tasked with guarding the league’s best scorers night in and night out.
Ellis could help lighten that load.
Defensively, he’s exactly what the Wolves need: a high-motor, point-of-attack defender who ranks in the 95th percentile in both deflections and steals per 100 possessions, per Databallr. That’s elite company, and it’s the kind of disruptive presence that fits right into Minnesota’s defensive identity.
Offensively, he’s no slouch either - Ellis has hit 41.5% of his career 3-point attempts. That kind of shooting from the wing is gold for a team that often leans heavily on Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns to generate offense.
He may not have Alexander-Walker’s playmaking chops, but Ellis brings a similar 3-and-D profile with more shooting consistency. And in a playoff series, that combination of perimeter defense and floor spacing can be the difference between a second-round exit and a deep run.
The Sacramento Situation
Ellis is 26 and heading into free agency this summer. That’s part of what makes him so gettable - and also part of what complicates any potential deal.
His time in Sacramento has been inconsistent at best. Despite flashes of two-way potential, Ellis hasn’t been able to carve out a regular role in a crowded Kings backcourt.
That’s not necessarily an indictment of his talent; sometimes, fit and opportunity just don’t align.
But it does mean Sacramento is likely to move him.
NBA insider Marc Stein has already pegged Ellis as one of the more likely names to be dealt before the deadline, and the Kings are reportedly seeking a first-round pick in return. That’s a steep ask for a player who hasn’t cracked the regular rotation and will hit the open market this summer - especially for a Wolves team that has limited first-round assets. Minnesota can only offer a 2028 first-round pick swap, which may not be enough to get a deal done on its own.
What Could a Deal Look Like?
If the Kings are truly set on a first-rounder, the Wolves may need to get creative. One potential option could be building a package around Rob Dillingham. The rookie guard was a lottery pick in 2024 and still holds considerable upside, particularly for a Sacramento team that could be looking to retool around younger talent.
There’s also the possibility of expanding the deal. If Minnesota wants to address both its wing depth and its point guard need in one move, a larger trade that includes Ellis and veteran guard Dennis Schroder could be on the table. That would likely require the Wolves to part with Dillingham, additional young players, and some of their seven tradable second-round picks - and possibly even Mike Conley, depending on the structure.
It’s a lot to consider, but the upside is clear: Minnesota would walk away with two rotation-ready players who could immediately stabilize a thin bench and help take pressure off the starters.
Final Thoughts
With the Timberwolves battling at the top of the Western Conference, the margin for error is razor-thin. The foundation is there - a top-tier defense, a rising superstar in Edwards, and a well-balanced starting five.
But to survive the grind of the playoffs, they’ll need more from the bench. Keon Ellis might not be the splashiest name on the market, but he checks a lot of boxes and could be exactly the kind of under-the-radar move that pays off in May and June.
As the deadline approaches, keep Ellis on your radar. The Wolves are clearly interested - and if the price is right, he could be wearing a different jersey very soon.