Since Marc Stein reported over the weekend that Keon Ellis appears to be the player most likely to be moved at the February 5 deadline, trade talks involving the Kings guard have only intensified, Stein and his colleague Jake Fischer said on Friday (Twitter link).
According to Fischer (Twitter link), Sacramento is “sifting through” a number of trade scenarios involving Ellis, some of which would involve him being packaged with a higher-salary veteran such as DeMar DeRozan or Malik Monk.
A three-and-D guard who has a career three-point percentage of 41.4% and a team-friendly cap hit of $2.3MM, Ellis has seen inconsistent playing time during his stint with the Kings and has faced questions about his size and his ability to slow down bigger guards. However, he’s viewed as an intriguing target for teams in need of defensive help, with Sacramento reportedly seeking a late first-round pick.
Because Ellis’ cap hit is so modest, nearly any team in the NBA could put together an offer for him. Stein stated earlier this week that about 14 clubs had registered interest, and reports in recent weeks have provided at least a partial list of those clubs — the Timberwolves, Pacers, Celtics, Knicks, Lakers, Clippers, Bucks, and Warriors have all been linked to Ellis since mid-January.
According to Stein and Fischer, the Cavaliers are also among the teams with an eye on Ellis, who will become eligible for a contract extension on February 9 and would reach unrestricted free agency this summer if he doesn’t sign a new deal before then.
As a second-apron team, Cleveland wouldn’t be able to acquire Ellis without sending out a player who has a larger cap hit. Lonzo Ball ($10MM) is among the Cavs’ trade candidates, as is De’Andre Hunter ($23.3MM), but there’s not a lower-salary player on the roster who would make sense as an obvious outgoing piece in an Ellis deal unless the club is willing to move Dean Wade ($6.6MM).
For what it’s worth, Monk and Ellis make a combined $21MM, so Cleveland could theoretically take both players back in a trade involving Hunter. DeRozan’s cap hit ($24.6MM) rules him out as an incoming piece for the Cavs in a Hunter deal.
Monk + Keon for Kuminga
Warriors don’t want Monk because his contract has another 2 years after this and gets more expensive. Ellis is not needed now since they have Richards who is teh same type of player as Ellis.
What’s the Keon Ellis hype about? He’s not getting any run whatsoever on the trash Kings. Where would he fit on a Cavs team featuring DG, Don, Merrill, CPJ, and Proctor? Trading Wade for him would be a huge mistake and I doubt (well maybe not because it is the Kings after all) that they would just do it for Ball.
Does seem weird since Cavs already have an abundance of player that same size. Could be assets for Giannis that cavs are trying to retrade.
Top 20 all-time in 3 point percentage.
Lol, sure. On practically the same volume as Isaac Okoro, which means not enough to actually make a difference in game.
Davey…you know ball. Haliburton was traded for Sabonis. Stick to being a warriors homer.
“What’s the Keon Ellis hype about?”
“Top 20 all-time in 3 point percentage.”
/proceeds to cope and seethe after being given an answer to their question. Be better, chatter. You asked, you got an answer, then you bent over backwards to be “right” when you got an answer to your question. Stop wanting to be “right” when you get given a legit answer you don’t like.
He’s not top 20 this season at 86th, 36.8%. And his career 3 pt FG% of 41.6% has resulted in his producing 4.2 ppg from three.
The Kings really could have had Haliburton/Fox/Sabonis and instead did this.
Remember Warriors could also have had Hali … And a lot more than JK if if if
Difference is, the Kings actually had Haliburton, the Warriors never had him.
Kirk Lacob is light years smarter than the L other team Presidents – just ask him…
His Lottery picks have been Wiseman (over Hali; the choice of Bob Myers/Coach Kerr), JK and Moody (at least something)…
warriors GM MDJ is overseas now scouting New Zealand players. So most of those articles about warriors offering up a boatload of draftpicks is just rumors from ESPN.
MDJ said like a month ago that they would not be able to make a big deal. He specifically said a a player in the $15 million dollar range.
He is scouting Kiwis? Interesting. I wonder who?
Karim Lopez who is teh top international player. Does that mean he is looking to use Kuminga to move up in the draft?
Lopez right now isn’t in the lottery. He could move up I guess. Better 4s out there.
No GM in their right mind would trade a draft pick in the top five because how deep this draft is. As of now their pick is around 20 so if they can move up 10 spots they should try.
Top 20 pick is a solid pick. Future starter imo. I don’t see them trading Kuminga now. They can get more at end of year. Warriors are playing for next year. They will be lucky to get out of 1sr rd.
I agree mostly but if the Bucks trade Giannis the warriors might try to get into the multiple team trade and get Portis or Turner.
That’s a good Idea. Either would help. Especially Turner. Bucks is a good place for Kuminga.
Kerr does like Portis. He fits with MDJ $15 million price point.
The Warriors aren’t in the lottery.
9-10 seed are in the lottery. Clippers, Blazers, Grizzlies are on your heels.
Could only be the young kid playing for the Breakers. Possibly a look at Daniels also, who needs another year in the NBL. Or, it’s just Holiday.
Could be anything. There is that 7 footer at Georgetown so could be doing a background check on him if he decides to go in the draft and be a 2nd round pick.
Right now, Tankathon has Lopez going to OKC at #18. The Warriors are at #20.
How about this. Kuminga and the #20 to OKC for the #18, their 2nd round pick, and filler.
The Warriors get younger and OKC gets salary relief for those upcoming big contracts.
I got OKC using the pick for a center. G to hey will need to replace Harkenstein. So a young center for the future.
OKC does have Sorber. They are probably after a Vet.
If not for being in direct competition with OKC I’d say the Warriors should be looking at Hartenstein or Lou Dort. OKC love first rounders.
Wouldn’t you Rather see JK play. Then get more at end of yr for draft. Probably can get you a first rd pick.
@Giants74
Salary from OKC in a trade for JK has to meet NBA matching rules.
They’re not trading for Kuminga.
Kirk Lacob has nothing to do with the Warriors personell decisions. He is definitely not the President of the Warriors. He just got promoted to Vice President, of Warriors Ventures. Why do you keep pushing this ignorant belief? You are as bad as Davey.
How could they have all three when they traded Haliburton for Sabonis?
My mistake…please forgive me for messing up a detail about the most forgettable USA sports franchise.
Hali was traded for Sabonis though…
Davey knows ball.
Oops…
It’s happens. I said Scoot Henderson was drafted 2nd but was picked 3rd and someone was all over me. Nobody is perfect
Yeah, its a lot of info and it is true, I am not as big an expert on other teams as I am with the Warriors, I will cop to that. My ball knowledge is superelite though, despite a flub here and there. When you make hundreds of comments, you aren’t going to bat 100%, I’m in the 90s, that’s elite.
If Keon Ellis gets you a 1st in the next couple of weeks, wonder if they put Ayo on the block and see what the offers are in? It’s time to cash in on him, rather be a feel good Chicago story.
Especially if it’s a pick in this draft. Late 20’s feels like late lottery this year. Cash in while you can.
Like if the Lakers offer their 2026 1st rounder (currently 22nd) for Ayo straight up with Gabe Vincent deal. I’d take it.
So much talent in the 20-30 range this year it’s insane.
Lol Ellis is NOT going for a 1st, I promise you that. Who would be willing to do that for a guy that’s hardly playing on one of the worst teams in the NBA and is having a very down year. Ayo on the other hand is a much better player but he’s a UFA that teams can just sign out right in the offseason.
I agree with everything you said. Ayo is better than Ellis, problem is he’s a free agent at the end of the season. I’m almost certain they are going to screw this up and Jerry will do nothing.
Monk and Ellis for Julius Randle. Maybe throw in Conley and/or Dillingham.
That makes T’Wolves worse in the size department. Gobert, Naz, and Randle are their only bigs.
Kings may take Conley but would need to flip him in 3 team or be attached with pick. Conley not playing over Russ and Dennis. No Dillingham because Kings don’t even play their young pg in Carter.
We don’t need size, we have Rudy, Naz, Jaden, Beringer, etc. We need a pg.
Plus we NEED to dump Conley so Finch isn’t allowed to give him minutes anymore! Addition by subtraction!
Ellis and Monk are not pgs though. Ellis is small but he is not a pg.
You need size if you trade away Randle. Going against your true competition in oKC,SAN, Houston you need bigs to survive.. especially your best big. You can get that level PG play elsewhere.
I know Brown was talking up Ellis. Earlier in the season. Since he coached him. That was while Landry was out. So I don’t see any use for him now. Don’t know him well enough. I don’t see them getting a 1st rd pick. I much rather talk Achiuwa and Westbrook with Kings.
He’s been talking up Ellis, but didn’t play him when he coach Sacramento.
Hunter to the Lakers isn’t a bad idea. Wonder who Cavs want. Don’t get why Cavs would want Ellis.