The Sacramento Kings are officially on the clock.
With the trade deadline looming, the buzz around Sacramento is getting louder by the day-and it’s not just background noise. Two names are front and center in the chatter: veteran wing DeMar DeRozan and emerging guard Keon Ellis. Both players have found themselves in the trade rumor mill, and both are handling the speculation with the kind of composure you’d expect from pros at very different stages of their careers.
Let’s start with DeRozan. A seasoned vet who’s seen just about everything the NBA can throw at him, DeRozan isn’t losing sleep over trade talk. His response to the growing rumors was classic DeMar-measured, focused, and rooted in professionalism.
“It is what it is,” DeRozan said. “For me, I’ve been in the league, and you hear everything.
At the end of the day, you’ve got to be a professional and still go out there and compete and play the game. You can’t get caught up in all that other stuff.
Whatever happens, happens. At the end of the day, we’ve still got a job and an obligation to do.”
That’s the mindset of a player who’s been through the league’s business side more than once. And while his name being floated in trade talks might raise some eyebrows, DeRozan’s on-court production this season has been steady.
He’s averaging 19.1 points on a highly efficient 50.5% shooting, along with 3.9 assists, 3.3 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game. That kind of two-way consistency is exactly what makes him a valuable asset-whether it’s in Sacramento or elsewhere.
Then there’s Keon Ellis, who finds himself in a very different position. Younger, still carving out his role in the league, and now, suddenly, one of the hottest names on the trade market. According to league insider Marc Stein, no fewer than 14 teams have reached out to the Kings about Ellis, making him arguably the most likely King to be moved before the February 5 deadline.
“An estimated 14 teams have registered varying degrees of trade interest in Sacramento's Keon Ellis,” Stein reported. “The most likely player to be traded between now and the Feb. 5 deadline, Sacramento's Keon Ellis, is a strong contender.
League sources say numerous teams are in pursuit of Ellis, with the Kings believed to be seeking a first-round pick given the widespread interest. One source close to the process essentially describes an Ellis trade as an inevitability.”
That’s not just smoke-that’s a full-on fire. And Ellis, to his credit, isn’t shying away from the spotlight. If anything, he’s embracing the idea of being wanted.
“It’s always great to be wanted because that’s not always the case,” Ellis said. “It’s definitely good that other teams see value in you.”
That’s a mature outlook from a young player who’s still working to cement his place in the league. Ellis is averaging 5.4 points and 1.1 steals per game this season, but the box score doesn’t tell the whole story.
His defensive instincts, energy, and versatility have clearly caught the attention of front offices around the league. And with Sacramento reportedly holding out for a first-round pick, it’s clear the Kings know what they have in Ellis-even if they ultimately decide to move on.
At this stage, it feels less like a question of if Ellis will be traded and more about where he’ll land and what the return will look like for Sacramento. The Kings are navigating a critical stretch-balancing the desire to compete now with the need to shape a sustainable future. And with the deadline fast approaching, the decisions they make in the coming days could have ripple effects well beyond this season.
For now, the Kings are listening. The offers are coming. And somewhere in that mix, a deal-or two-feels inevitable.