With the NBA trade deadline just over a week away, the Sacramento Kings find themselves in a familiar position - fielding calls, weighing options, and trying to chart a course forward for a roster that hasn’t quite clicked. While names like Domantas Sabonis, Malik Monk, DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Dennis Schroder bring the most salary and star power, it's Keon Ellis - a name flying a bit under the radar - who might end up being the most realistic trade chip in Sacramento’s deck.
Let’s break down why.
Keon Ellis: Low Cost, High Flexibility
Ellis is on an expiring minimum contract worth $2.3 million - a number that makes him easily movable for just about any team, even those navigating the tricky waters of the second apron. And there’s more than just cap-friendly math here.
Any team trading for Ellis would also acquire his Bird Rights, giving them the ability to re-sign him this summer without needing cap space. That kind of flexibility is gold, especially for contenders trying to build out depth without sacrificing future spending power.
Around the league, there’s real interest in Ellis for exactly those reasons. He’s affordable, he fits into multiple roster structures, and he comes with the kind of upside that teams love to bet on - particularly when it doesn’t cost them much to do so.
Sacramento’s Mixed Signals
Inside the Kings’ organization, there’s appreciation for what Ellis brings to the table - a defensive-minded guard with a developing three-point shot and a willingness to play within a system. But the way he’s been used this season tells a different story.
Ellis has bounced in and out of the rotation under both Mike Brown and interim head coach Doug Christie. Despite the front office’s apparent fondness for him, he’s logged five DNP-CDs and played fewer than 10 minutes in nine of the 41 games he’s appeared in. His role has been inconsistent at best - and that’s led to uneven production.
He’s averaging 17.5 minutes per game, putting up 5.4 points, 1.3 rebounds, and under one assist while shooting 38.9% from the field. From beyond the arc, he’s hitting at a 36% clip - down from a strong 43.3% last season. That dip in efficiency has likely been impacted by his erratic usage, but it’s clear that he hasn’t quite found his rhythm in Sacramento this year.
Why Ellis Might Be the One to Go
For a team like the Kings - sitting at 12-38 through 48 games and near the bottom of the Western Conference - the trade deadline offers a chance to reset, retool, and maybe even pivot toward the future. They’re not going to say they’re tanking, but with eyes clearly on the 2026 NBA Draft, Sacramento appears more focused on long-term development than short-term wins.
That’s where Ellis comes in.
He’s the kind of player who could help a playoff team right now - a defensive guard who can knock down open threes and doesn’t need the ball in his hands to be effective. For teams like Denver, Houston, San Antonio, or even Detroit, he’s a plug-and-play option who fits into a variety of schemes.
He’s not going to command a first-round pick on his own - that’s a stretch - but a second-rounder? Absolutely in play.
And if Sacramento can extract even that level of draft capital instead of losing him for nothing in free agency, that’s a win for a team looking to build assets.
Sacramento’s Bigger Picture
The Kings’ trade deadline strategy is complicated by the size and structure of their bigger contracts. LaVine, DeRozan, Schroder - these are not easy deals to move, especially without attaching draft picks, something Sacramento is reluctant to do.
Sabonis is likely staying put, given his foundational role. That leaves Ellis as the most attainable, most logical piece to move.
There’s also the possibility that Sacramento gets involved as a third or fourth team in a larger deal - a way to offload salary or acquire picks without taking on long-term money. But unless something unexpected materializes, Ellis remains their cleanest path to making a move that aligns with their current direction.
What’s Next
With the trade deadline set for Thursday, February 5 at noon PT, time is ticking. First-year general manager Scott Perry has some tough decisions to make - not just about who stays and who goes, but about how this team is going to be built moving forward.
Ellis may not be the biggest name on the roster, but he might be the most important name to watch over the next eight days.
Upcoming Kings Games
As Sacramento continues to evaluate its roster and weigh potential moves, here’s a look at what’s ahead on the schedule:
- Thursday, Jan. 29 - @ Philadelphia 76ers - 4:00 PM PT
- Sunday, Jan. 30 - @ Boston Celtics - 4:30 PM PT
- Sunday, Feb. 1 - @ Washington Wizards - 3:00 PM PT
- Wednesday, Feb. 4 - vs. Memphis Grizzlies - 7:00 PM PT
The Kings may not be winning a lot of games right now, but they’re very much in the thick of the trade deadline conversation - and Keon Ellis could be the first domino to fall.