As the NBA trade season kicks into gear, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: the Sacramento Kings are open for business. Sitting well below the .500 mark, the Kings are exploring ways to reshape a roster that hasn’t lived up to expectations.
And one name that keeps coming up in league circles? Keon Ellis.
Ellis, a 25-year-old guard, has quietly become one of the more intriguing trade chips in Sacramento. Around the league, he’s earning a reputation as a two-way player with real upside-strong on-ball defender, reliable from deep (he’s hit 42% from three over his NBA career), and still on a team-friendly deal. That combination has made him a hot topic in front offices as teams look to bolster their backcourts.
But here’s the catch: Ellis isn’t exactly getting the minutes you'd expect for someone generating that kind of buzz. His playing time has dipped from 24.4 minutes per game last season to just 17.0 this year.
That’s largely due to the Kings’ crowded backcourt rotation, where veterans like Russell Westbrook, Zach LaVine, Malik Monk, and Dennis Schroder are all fighting for time. It’s a logjam, and Ellis has been the odd man out.
Still, Sacramento isn’t necessarily looking to cut ties just yet. The Kings picked up Ellis’ $2.3 million team option for this season, but he’s set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the year. That puts them in a familiar NBA bind: hold onto a promising young player and hope to negotiate an extension when he becomes eligible on February 9, or move him now while his value is high.
And make no mistake-his value is high. League insiders have described Ellis as “very popular” among teams, and there’s a growing belief that Sacramento could command a first-round pick in return. That’s the kind of asset that could help the Kings retool around their core, especially if they’re serious about pushing back into the playoff picture this season.
There’s also a bit of a philosophical question for Sacramento’s front office: If they like Ellis as much as they say they do, why isn’t he playing more? It’s a fair question, and one that fans are already asking. But in a league where roster decisions are often driven by contracts, experience, and win-now pressure, sometimes talent gets caught in the shuffle.
What’s clear is that the Kings are actively weighing their options. With December 15 now behind us-meaning most players are eligible to be traded-expect Sacramento to be involved in a flurry of conversations. Whether they ultimately move Ellis or commit to him long-term, his situation is one to watch closely.
And beyond the Kings, the league itself is buzzing with movement. Expansion talks are heating up, with a decision expected by 2026.
There’s even been chatter about potential relocations involving Memphis or New Orleans, though nothing is imminent. For now, though, all eyes are on the trade market-and Keon Ellis is firmly in the spotlight.