The Sacramento Kings made a pair of moves ahead of the trade deadline, sending guards Dennis Schroder and Keon Ellis to the Cleveland Cavaliers. And while the deal didn’t exactly send shockwaves through the league, it turns out the trade may have been a win-win - for both the team and the players involved.
According to Malik Monk, one of the Kings’ most vocal leaders and emotional anchors, neither Schroder nor Ellis was blindsided by the move. In fact, Monk said both players wanted out. That tracks with how things had been trending in Sacramento, where each guard was struggling to find his footing in a crowded backcourt rotation.
Let’s break it down.
Two Guards, Two Journeys - Same Ending
Keon Ellis and Dennis Schroder arrived in Sacramento through very different doors. Ellis, undrafted in 2022, was a developmental project for the Kings - or at least, that was the idea.
He spent parts of four seasons with the team, but never saw consistent minutes or a clear path to a bigger role. For a young player with two-way potential, that kind of stagnation can be frustrating.
Schroder, on the other hand, came in with a veteran résumé. Drafted by the Hawks back in 2013, he’s bounced around the league and landed in Sacramento via trade during the 2025 offseason.
But the fit never quite materialized. The Kings were already deep at the guard spot, and Schroder - a player who thrives with the ball in his hands and a defined role - was often left trying to carve out space in a system that didn’t seem to have one for him.
So when the Kings shipped both players to Cleveland, it wasn’t just about clearing roster space or tweaking the rotation. It was also about letting two players hit reset.
Malik Monk: “They Wanted to Go”
Monk didn’t mince words when asked about the trade. He made it clear that both Ellis and Schroder were ready for a change of scenery.
That kind of honesty is rare, but it also gives us insight into the locker room dynamic. These weren’t disgruntled stars causing waves - they were professionals who recognized the situation and wanted an opportunity elsewhere.
And that opportunity came in the form of a Cavaliers team with playoff aspirations and a need for backcourt depth.
Schroder Already Feeling the Difference
It didn’t take long for Schroder to speak on the contrast between his new team and the one he just left. After helping the Cavs hold the Lakers to 91 points, he noted the defensive intensity and cohesion in Cleveland - something he felt had been missing in Sacramento.
“Holding them under 50 points in a half, we didn’t have that in Sac for a long time,” Schroder said. “A really competitive group here that wants to play defense, share the ball and play fast.
I love it. I feel comfortable already.”
That’s a telling quote. Schroder is known for his on-ball defense and ability to pressure opposing guards. In Sacramento, where defensive consistency has been a recurring issue, it’s easy to see how that could’ve been frustrating.
Ellis Needed a Fresh Start
While Schroder’s frustrations were more about system and style, Ellis’ situation was rooted in opportunity - or lack thereof. After four years in Sacramento, he still hadn’t cracked the regular rotation. Under Doug Christie’s leadership, Ellis struggled to get minutes, despite showing flashes of potential that had scouts around the league intrigued.
The consensus? He needed out. And now, with a fresh start in Cleveland, he’ll have a chance to prove what he can do in a system that might actually invest in his development.
A Step Up for Both Players
Whether it was a matter of fit, playing time, or just a need for a new environment, the writing was on the wall for both Ellis and Schroder in Sacramento. Their time with the Kings had run its course. And now, they land in Cleveland - a team with a real shot at making noise in the postseason.
The Kings, meanwhile, clear up some of the logjam in their backcourt and move forward with a roster that’s a little more streamlined.
Sometimes, trades are messy. This one? It feels like a clean break - and a positive one - for everyone involved.