Keon Ellis Drawing Trade Interest as Kings Struggle to Find His Fit
The Sacramento Kings are off to a rough start this season - and that’s putting it kindly. At 5-16, they’re sitting near the bottom of the Western Conference, and it’s clear something isn’t clicking. But while the big-picture struggles dominate the headlines, there’s a growing subplot that’s quietly gaining traction around the league: Keon Ellis, the defensive-minded guard who has suddenly found himself squeezed out of the Kings’ rotation.
And make no mistake - teams around the NBA are watching closely.
A Crowded Backcourt, A Shrinking Role
After logging 24.4 minutes per game last season and starting 28 times, Ellis has seen his playing time dip sharply to just 16.6 minutes per night. That’s a significant drop for a player who brings real value on both ends of the floor.
The reason? A crowded backcourt rotation that now includes Zach LaVine, Malik Monk, Dennis Schroder, and Russell Westbrook.
That’s a lot of mouths to feed, and Ellis is the one getting pushed to the margins.
But here’s the thing: Ellis isn’t just some end-of-bench guy. He’s a two-way guard who can disrupt opposing offenses with his on-ball defense and create turnovers in the passing lanes. And he’s not just a defensive specialist - he’s shooting over 40% from three-point range this season, continuing the strong perimeter shooting that made him one of the league’s most efficient spot-up threats last year.
So the question becomes: if the Kings are this bad, why can’t they find minutes for a young, ascending player who fits the modern NBA mold?
That’s the same question rival teams are asking - and they’re starting to make calls.
Trade Buzz Heating Up
According to insider Marc Stein, Sacramento’s phone lines are already lighting up with inquiries about Ellis. With the trade market set to open up on December 15 - when most players across the league become trade-eligible - the Kings will have a decision to make: hold onto Ellis as a piece for the future, or move him while his value is high and potentially get a net-positive return.
The early word out of Sacramento suggests Keegan Murray and rookie Nique Clifford are off-limits, but beyond that, there’s openness to making moves. That includes Ellis, who could become a key part of trade packages aimed at reshaping the roster before the February 5 trade deadline.
Ellis’ Rise - And What Comes Next
Ellis’ NBA journey is already a success story in its own right. Undrafted out of Alabama in 2022, he worked his way up from a two-way contract to a legitimate rotation player.
Last season, he finished fifth in the NBA in total steals (121) and ranked just outside the top 10 in steals per game. He also shot 43% from deep - good for eighth in the league - showing that his game isn’t just about defense.
Now 25 and in the final year of his contract, Ellis is set to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. The Kings exercised their $2.3 million team option on him this past offseason - a short-term move that kept flexibility but also means they could lose him for nothing if he walks in July.
That’s part of what makes the trade conversation so interesting. If Sacramento doesn’t see Ellis as part of their long-term core, now might be the time to cash in. But if they do, they’ll need to carve out a role - and fast.
A Young Core Worth Building Around?
The Kings aren’t short on veteran names, but they are short on wins. And with the season trending toward a potential rebuild, there’s a case to be made for leaning into youth. Pairing Ellis with Keegan Murray - who’s shown signs of taking a leap in his third season - and Nique Clifford, the athletic rookie taken 24th overall, could give Sacramento a defensive-minded, high-upside trio to build around.
Three-and-D players like Ellis are the glue of winning teams. They don’t always make the highlight reels, but they win possessions - and games.
If the Kings can’t see that, someone else will. And judging by the early trade chatter, multiple teams already do.
Kings Continue to Slide
Meanwhile, the Kings’ struggles continue. Sunday night’s 115-107 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies was another tough pill to swallow. Sacramento led heading into the fourth quarter at Golden 1 Center but couldn’t close the deal - a recurring theme this season.
Now sitting in 14th place in the West, the Kings are staring down one of the worst starts in franchise history. Through 21 games, they’re on pace for a 20-62 finish - a far cry from the playoff aspirations that surrounded this roster just a few months ago.
What’s Next?
The Kings now hit the road for a three-game trip, starting Wednesday night in Houston. The Rockets are off to a hot start and currently hold a top-five seed in the West. Sacramento swept the season series last year, including a 113-103 win at Toyota Center in March, but this is a very different Kings team - and not in a good way.
As the trade market opens and the pressure mounts, Sacramento will have to decide what kind of team they want to be - and who they want to build around. Keon Ellis may not be a household name yet, but he’s exactly the kind of player good teams find a way to keep.
The Kings have a choice to make. And the clock is ticking.