With the NBA trade deadline just around the corner, the Sacramento Kings find themselves right in the thick of the rumor mill. And while big names like DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Jonathan Kuminga continue to dominate headlines, one of the most intriguing players drawing attention isn’t a star - it’s Keon Ellis.
Yes, Keon Ellis - a name that’s flown under the radar for most casual fans but is suddenly turning heads across front offices around the league. According to league insiders, over half the NBA has reached out to Sacramento expressing interest in the 24-year-old guard.
That’s not a typo. More than 15 teams are kicking the tires on a player who’s logged fewer than 20 minutes a night and has even picked up four DNP-CDs this season.
So what’s driving the buzz?
Let’s start with the basics. Ellis is on an expiring minimum contract worth $2.3 million - a team-friendly deal that makes him incredibly easy to acquire from a cap standpoint.
But there’s more: any team that trades for him also gets his Bird rights, giving them the flexibility to go over the salary cap to re-sign him this summer. That’s a big deal for contenders looking to add depth without sacrificing future flexibility.
Despite his limited role under head coach Doug Christie - and earlier in the season under Mike Brown - Ellis has shown flashes of what makes him valuable. Through 39 games, he’s averaging 5.3 points, 1.3 rebounds, and just under an assist in 17.3 minutes per game.
The shooting numbers aren’t eye-popping - 38.4% from the field and 35.7% from three - but there’s context that matters here. His minutes have been inconsistent, and that can mess with rhythm, especially for a player whose game is built around spacing and confidence.
Last season, Ellis shot a blistering 43.3% from deep - a mark that had scouts paying attention. That version of Ellis is still in there, and teams believe that with a defined role and consistent floor time, he could offer real value as a 3-and-D contributor. That’s why Sacramento is reportedly holding firm on a high asking price, hoping to spark a bidding war as the deadline approaches.
And they might just get it.
Eastern Conference contenders and rebuilding squads alike have shown interest. Out West, multiple teams have made calls. Ellis may not be the biggest name on the block, but he’s quickly becoming one of the most talked-about.
For Sacramento GM Scott Perry, this is a chance to capitalize. The Kings are walking a tightrope between competing now and building for the future, and flipping Ellis for a first-round pick - if that’s truly on the table - could be a savvy move that aligns with both timelines. Especially given that Ellis isn’t a core piece of the current rotation.
Meanwhile, the Kings continue to monitor other potential moves, including the long-rumored pursuit of Golden State’s Jonathan Kuminga. Talks between the Kings and Warriors haven’t progressed much, but recent developments could shift the landscape. With Jimmy Butler sidelined for the rest of the season due to a knee injury, Golden State might reassess their stance on Kuminga, who just returned to action after a month-long absence.
Sacramento’s interest in Kuminga dates back to the offseason, when they reportedly explored a sign-and-trade that would have sent Malik Monk and a protected first-rounder to the Bay in exchange for the 23-year-old forward. While that deal never materialized, the Kings haven’t backed off entirely.
For now, all eyes are on Keon Ellis - the under-the-radar guard who might just be the spark that ignites a flurry of deadline activity.