The Sacramento Kings are not what you call a well-rounded team. Their roster is loaded with score-first options who don't look for the outlet pass as often as they should.
That's a problem for someone like Keon Ellis. This is a team loaded with scorers, including the likes of DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Domantas Sabonis.
Coming out of the 2024-2025 season and going into the upcoming training camp, Ellis has not done enough to set himself apart on the floor. That could lead to a mid-season move when the 2026 trade deadline approaches.
Keon Ellis by the numbers
Last season, Ellis was averaging 5.8 field goal attempts per game and making an average of 2.8. In 24.4 minutes per game, he was averaging 8.3 points. On top of that, he played 80 games and even started 28 of them.
DeRozan, LaVine, Sabonis, Monk, Fox, Murray, and Valanciunas all out shot him, by large amounts in some cases. When you're claim to fame is being a shoot-first option, that's not a good thing.
On top of that, Ellis isn't offering much when it comes to assists and rebounds. At the same time, he does contribute defensively, averaging 1.5 steals per game. That was the best on the team during the 2024-2025 season.
The Sacramento Kings are a shoot-first team
Keon's concern is minutes. In the offseason, the Kings acquired three new guards, giving them a total of six guards on the roster. That doesn't count their two shooting guards and one point guard.
While he has had flashes of brilliance, Ellis has not consistently impressed. The upcoming season will see him fighting for minutes on a guard-heavy team with several better shoot-first options than him. He's going to have to make a good impression fast when the season kicks off.
If he doesn't, Ellis will likely find himself as part of a trade package that will see more depth and a stronger defensive presence on the team. Hopefully, his defensive prowess can carry him through.