The Sacramento Kings will be sellers at the trade deadline, or at least, they want to be sellers. Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, Dennis Schroder, and even Domantas Sabonis could all be available, but what's ironic is that Keon Ellis has garnered the most buzz. Bobby Marks questioned whether Ellis has the most value on the team in his latest ESPN trade piece.
Non-fans may be wondering why Ellis is getting attention, considering his playing time, and therefore, his numbers, are down from last season. The 25-year-old guard is averaging 5.3 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game in 17 minutes across 24 contests, shooting 40% from the field and 37% from three.
Ellis will become an unrestricted free agent next summer after the Kings exercised his $2.3 million option, instead of declining it to re-sign him to a long-term deal in free agency — typical Sacramento.
Luckily for Ellis, he should be on a new team after the Feb. 5 deadline, but unluckily for Kings fans, he'll remind his former team why he should've played more. There is a reason why you've heard more about him than LaVine, DeRozan, Sabonis, or Schroder. Ellis is the 3-and-D wing that other teams want.
Keon Ellis is the Kings player that other teams want
Sabonis has been out for a month with a partial tear in his left meniscus, and in the 11 games he played before the injury, he averaged 17.2 points per contest on 51% shooting from the field (not good by his standards) and 20% from three (obviously not good). He is signed through the 2027-28 season, making $45.4 million next season and $48.6 million in the final year of his contract.
Given the CBA's restraints and penalties, teams are understandably hesitant to trade for Sabonis. His rim protection is also an issue, which you know by now. He reportedly wants to stay in Sacramento anyway, and that wish could be granted, but not necessarily on purpose.
The Kings will take calls on their veterans before the deadline, but there is a difference between expressing interest in a player and actually agreeing to a deal. Sacramento may not reach the latter stage, except for Ellis, of course. You would think that the Kings would want to keep him around, but that ship has sailed.
Enjoy watching Keon Ellis when you can, and when he actually plays, because he shouldn't be in town for much longer.