The Portland Trail Blazers are deep in the trenches of a rebuild, but that doesn’t mean they can afford to stand pat. As the Feb. 5 trade deadline approaches, the front office has a real opportunity to reinforce the team’s defensive identity-and Sacramento Kings guard Keon Ellis might be exactly the kind of swing worth taking.
Ellis isn’t a household name, but he’s gaining traction as one of the more intriguing trade targets on the market. According to reports, the Kings are open to moving him, and the asking price is a protected first-round pick.
That’s a hefty tag for a player who’s still trying to carve out a consistent role, but there’s a reason teams are paying attention. Ellis is polarizing, no doubt-but he’s also undeniably talented.
Why Ellis Makes Sense for Portland
Let’s start with what Ellis brings to the table. He’s a classic 3-and-D guard-efficient from deep and disruptive on defense.
Over his first four seasons, he’s knocked down 41.8% of his threes, a mark that would turn heads on any roster. On the defensive end, he’s averaging 1.2 steals in just under 20 minutes per game.
That kind of production in limited minutes points to a player who knows how to make things happen when he’s on the floor.
But Ellis isn’t without his question marks. Despite his skill set, he hasn’t been able to lock down a consistent role in Sacramento.
He’s bounced in and out of the rotation under multiple coaching staffs, and there are concerns that his defensive numbers-particularly his steal rate-don’t tell the full story. At 6-foot-4 and 174 pounds, he doesn’t have the size to guard up, and he’s been known to gamble on defense, which can lead to breakdowns in team schemes.
Still, the upside is real. Ellis has shown flashes of being a disruptive perimeter defender and a knockdown shooter-two things Portland desperately needs. The Blazers have been hit hard by injuries in the backcourt, and adding a player like Ellis could bring stability and depth, especially if he can thrive in a more clearly defined role.
The Price Tag: Worth the Gamble?
Giving up a protected first-round pick is no small thing, especially for a team still in the early stages of a rebuild. But Portland has options. They picked up a 2028 first-rounder from Orlando in their draft-day deal with the Grizzlies, and that could be the kind of asset that gets Sacramento’s attention.
Here’s where it gets interesting: Orlando’s young core is trending upward, and by 2028, that pick might not land in the lottery. That makes it a valuable but expendable chip for the Blazers-something they could afford to part with if it means acquiring a 25-year-old who fits their timeline and fills a need.
There’s also the question of fit. Ellis hasn’t found his stride in Sacramento, but sometimes a change of scenery is all it takes.
Portland’s system under Chauncey Billups has emphasized perimeter defense and transition play-areas where Ellis could thrive if given the right support. We’ve already seen the Blazers unlock some of that potential in other young guards like Blake Wesley earlier this season.
Ellis could be next.
Multiple Teams in the Mix
The Blazers won’t be alone if they pursue Ellis. The Lakers have been floated as a potential suitor, and it’s likely that other teams will kick the tires as well.
But Portland has a compelling case to make. They can offer Ellis a larger role, a clean slate, and a system that could highlight his strengths rather than expose his limitations.
In the end, this is the kind of calculated risk that rebuilding teams need to take. Ellis isn’t a guaranteed hit, but he’s a high-upside piece who could grow with the Blazers’ young core. If Portland believes in his potential-and believes that a more stable environment could unlock it-then giving up a protected pick might be a price worth paying.
With the deadline looming and the roster still in flux, this is a move that could help shape the Blazers’ identity moving forward. It’s worth exploring.