A “ton” of teams have called the Kings to inquire about Keon Ellis, according to James Ham of Locked On Kings (YouTube link), who identifies the Timberwolves, Pacers, Celtics, and Knicks as a few of the clubs his sources suggest are worth monitoring as suitors for the fourth-year guard.
“From what I have heard, (they) have all called on Keon Ellis,” Ham said.
Ellis is an intriguing trade candidate because his $2.3MM expiring contract makes him an attainable piece for just about any NBA team, including clubs like Minnesota, Boston, and New York, who are operating above the first tax apron. If he’s dealt, Ellis’ Bird rights would travel with him and he’d become extension-eligible on February 9, just a few days after the trade deadline.
One weekend report suggested Ellis is among the players most likely to be moved at the deadline, with the Kings said to be seeking a late first-round pick.
Here’s more on the Kings:
- Discussing the possibility of the Raptors making a play for center Domantas Sabonis, Ham said the Kings have “zero interest” in acquiring big man Jakob Poeltl, who has battled back issues this season and is under contract through 2029/30 (YouTube link). “‘We’re not getting into the Jakob Poeltl business’ is what I was told,” Ham said, though he observed that the same source didn’t say anything about the Kings not getting into the “RJ Barrett business.” Barrett was drafted by the Knicks when current Kings general manager Scott Perry was in New York’s front office.
- Responding to speculation that the Raptors would seek Ellis along with Sabonis in a trade with the Kings, Ham says a source told him “unequivocally” that Toronto and Sacramento haven’t discussed Ellis to this point.
- The Kings are no longer willing to include any draft picks in a trade offer Jonathan Kuminga, but they remain interested in the Warriors forward, Ham confirms (YouTube link). “I do know for a fact that the Sacramento Kings have offered, in the past, DeMar DeRozan straight up for Jonathan Kuminga,” Ham said. Golden State would need to include one more player in that hypothetical deal in order to stay below its hard cap, but it doesn’t sound like the Warriors have real interest in DeRozan anyway.
- Zach LaVine would “absolutely love to move on from Sacramento,” according to Ham (YouTube link), though his maximum-salary contract will be a major impediment. Ham suggests there was a “ray of hope” about a potential deal with the Bucks involving Kyle Kuzma and Bobby Portis, but that outcome seems less likely as a result of Milwaukee’s recent struggles and Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s latest calf strain.
Ellis + Sabonis for Barrett + Agbaji + Dick + a 2026 FRP? Poeltl at back up minutes this season as he gets healthy, and tradable in the summer when healthy?
Sabonis being their best player they should try to get 2 from minimum. Barrett is not a star him and Keegan is not something to build around both have similar non aggressive personality on floor.
Agbaji is similar to Ellis just a bit bigger. Gradey is a bench guy.
Only way Kings get Kuminga if its a 3 or 4 team trade. The teams do not match up in trade offers. The only draft pick they offered before was a late round pick that would have been at the end of 1st round. Warriors can’t take on payroll so the likely player coming back better make less.
Raps should just pursue Missi, Sharpe, Nurkic.
Kings don’t have a plan as usual.
Why would the Blazers trade Sharpe?
Sharpe from brk not Por Brado
Ahhh I see, my bad
I hope the Kings have a plan, stop getting screwed in trades, all the trade talk, has the Kings getting some over paid vet or trades that give up draft picks. If Ellis is the only trade then so be it. Stop the getting the shaft.
Kings only disappoint.
The kings absolutely do not have a plan, they literally might trade a great big man for yet another dying breed iso wing shooter
Barrett derozan and lavine might cause a black hole if they were on the same team they wouldn’t pass the ball
Who says no…Derozen and Schroder with a first for Ja?
I’ve never seen a proposed trade that didn’t make either team better before, but there it is…
Don’t lose too much sleep over it.
Ah yes derozan is exactly who the grizzlies need in their rebuild
Losing sleep over becoming successful?
Sabonis is an All-NBA type player. I’m not sure why they’d consider trading him at all, but, if they’re going to consider it, then you’d think they’d want some elite young talent or potential lottery picks.
He is weak on the defensive side, but he has never really played with a tough big except maybe Adams in quick Okc stint.
Miles Turner not a good rebounder or strong low post defender.
Sac has him playing center and had Barnes/Keegan neither are post defenders in his time.
Sabonis is not a rim protector, in a league where its becoming more and more essential for a team to have one. He also doesn’t the feet to be a good perimeter defender. BUT he can defend the post (can vs does, often not the same in the NBA). He’s very strong with great strong/quick hands. SAC’s issue is his offensive game will be diminished if they put another big next to him.
NYK have a similar issues with KAT. Offensively, KAT has the 3 pt shot that should perimt him to play more easily with another big. But with his lack of BB IQ, I’d prefer Sabonis.
A big that can switch who isn’t just a drop coverage guy is far more valuable these days. Hasn’t KAT been up the top for blocked shots in the past? Not exactly working out for him at the moment.
I would agree that a rim protector doesn’t always help team defense.
If the perimeter players don’t buy into individual accountability, they’ll rely on their big man to cover for them on dribbles drives to the basket.
The problem in those cases is that the opposing big man is then freed up for offensive rebounds and put backs. Again, unless everyone slides over to provide the help.
Joe Mazzula coaches my team, and for that, I am grateful. You don’t play D, you don’t play. To your point, I’ve seen Portland quite a bit this season. No thanks, not for me. Clingan is useless on the perimeter yet hides guards and wings poor D with good rim protection. I can’t tell you how much that would annoy me. Contested rebounding is disappearing. Bron, Jokic, Tatum etc get a hell of a lot of freebies on that end.
Too much babysitting goes on in the NBA and not enough accountability. Not many crash the offensive glass these days with everybody trying to get up and down so fast.
Playing the middle D is not just shot blocking. Its more positioning and effort. Your size and movement is your best asset. Towns too many tim s is not tuned in on D.
Ellis for Kuminga, just do it
Salary does not match, Ellis makes pennies and Kuminga has 20mill due to the rfa. That is why Derozan, Levine, or Monk need to be moved.
Perfect, the Kings have been wanting to get rid of Monk so just include him as a salary filler
The Warriors have limited leverage and limited interest has been expressed in Kuminga. Why would you waste your most attractive trade piece on him?
If they are no longer willing to give up a 1st for Kuminga, the implication is that extends to Ellis as well.
warriors have the same player in Ellis with Richards so you don’t trade for teh same player you have.
Also true. I have no idea where he’ll end up, but it’s not going to be the Warriors.
I much rather have Sabonis starting with Mitch. Than Towns on team. Brings Hart to bench and helps fix that. Hart can stll play 24-30 mins as sixth man.
We know it won’t happen. Yet this is more realistic than Giannis to Knicks ……
I still don’t see Kuminga in Sac. It’s a bad move if you believe in Murray. They both play the same position.
Kuminga isn’t going anywhere. His value is at its lowest. Without Jimmy Warriors need him. Let him ball out. And get good value for the draft.
Yabu has to go. I just don’t see who takes him. Another brilliant Rose move ……
Ellis might be a nice player. But Knicks don’t need him with Landry healthy. I much rather have Westbrook. Seems Brown is only reason for Ellis rumors. This is a coach who just realized what Hart means to Knicks. Like 2wks ago.
Kolek >>>>> for >>>>> Westbrook …. I’ll even throw in a 2nd rd pick. GMAL
No draft picks for Kuminga seems a great deal for GSW!!! They must take it!
#FreeKuminga
If it’s all quiet for the Heat at the deadline I wonder if they’d swap Rozier for DeRozan.
Kings do it just for the expiring contract and Heat do it cause he’s not suspended and he’s a good player.
I doubt they fall out of the playoffs with the hornets 6 games back in 11 but another year in the playoffs in. Herro has missed lots of time this year. Getting a quality player in like him wouldn’t be a terrible idea.
DeM DeR put up 36 against Knicks ……. I always saw Bridges as developing his offensive game. To be more like DeM. Both have same body and mechanics. Unfortunately Bridges offense has never been consistent on Knicks. Not yet anyway.
If LaVine wants out of Sac so bad, he’ll decline his option for next year. But we all know that won’t happen.
Don’t let the door hit you on the way out!