The Sacramento Kings are making some noise ahead of the February 5 trade deadline, and Keon Ellis is right at the center of it. According to league insiders, Ellis has emerged as the most likely King to be moved, and the trade chatter around him is heating up fast.
Ellis, a classic three-and-D guard with a career 41.4% mark from beyond the arc, brings a valuable skill set at a bargain price - just a $2.3 million cap hit. That kind of efficiency, both on the floor and on the books, makes him a hot commodity for playoff contenders looking to shore up their perimeter defense without breaking the bank. And with Sacramento reportedly looking for a late first-round pick in return, there’s a growing list of teams weighing their options.
Right now, the Kings are actively exploring deals that could include Ellis alone or in a package with a higher-salaried veteran like Malik Monk or DeMar DeRozan. That opens the door for more complex trade constructions, especially for teams trying to balance cap sheets and stay under the luxury tax thresholds.
Ellis hasn’t always had a consistent role in Sacramento’s rotation, and questions about his size and ability to defend bigger guards have followed him. But teams in need of defensive depth and floor spacing see the upside. He’s a plug-and-play option who doesn’t need the ball to make an impact - the kind of player who can quietly swing a playoff series with timely stops and corner threes.
Interest around the league has been strong. Reports indicate that roughly 14 teams have shown some level of interest in Ellis since mid-January.
Among the teams linked to him: the Timberwolves, Pacers, Celtics, Knicks, Lakers, Clippers, Bucks, and Warriors. Add the Cavaliers to that list as well.
Cleveland’s situation is a bit more complicated. As a second-apron team, they can’t just absorb Ellis’ salary - they’d need to send out a larger contract to make the math work.
That’s led to speculation about trade candidates like Lonzo Ball ($10 million) and De’Andre Hunter ($23.3 million). Dean Wade, at $6.6 million, could also be a piece to watch if the Cavs want to get creative.
One scenario that could make the numbers line up: a package deal. Monk and Ellis combine for a $21 million cap hit, which would match up cleanly with Hunter’s salary.
That kind of move would give Cleveland a sharpshooting guard in Ellis and a dynamic scorer in Monk - a potentially impactful midseason swing. On the flip side, DeRozan’s $24.6 million salary makes him a tougher fit in any Cleveland deal involving Hunter.
Ellis becomes eligible for a contract extension on February 9, and if he doesn’t ink a new deal before then, he’ll hit unrestricted free agency this summer. That adds a bit of urgency for teams hoping to secure his services long-term - and for the Kings, who are trying to maximize value before that window closes.
Bottom line: Keon Ellis may not be a household name, but in the right system, he could be a difference-maker. And as the deadline approaches, don’t be surprised if he’s wearing a new jersey - and playing a bigger role - before long.