In a puzzling season for the Sacramento Kings, one of the most confusing aspects has been Keon Ellis. Despite being a potentially strong 3&D player, he struggles to find minutes. But in the first two games of 2026, Ellis has been on fire, showing the Kings what they're losing if they trade him.
The league has been in the midst of trade season since December 15, but there has been little movement from any team. There are almost endless rumors, and likely a lot of conversations happening behind the scenes. Still, nothing concrete has happened yet.
One of the teams that is looking to make big moves is the Kings. The front office has made it clear that they're open to conversations on pretty much the entire roster. Basically, the only names that are off limits are likely Keegan Murray, Nique Clifford, Maxime Raynaud, and hopefully Dylan Cardwell.
That being said, the one guy who isn't on that list but should be is Keon Ellis. The young guard is a legit 3&D threat who has the potential to be a big name in the league if correctly developed and utilized. For some reason, Doug Christie doesn't want to do that, though 2026 might change his mind.
Keon Ellis is starting to find his game in 2026
Sacramento is only two games into the new year, and Ellis is already playing with a lot more confidence and polish. The Kings may not have won either game, but that's due to issues far bigger than what Keon can control. What matters here is the effort he's putting in, and it shows.
Against the Celtics, he played 27 minutes and finished with 16 points, one rebound, one assist, and one steal. The next night against the Suns, he played 35 minutes, collecting 14 points, three rebounds, two blocks, and one steal. When Ellis gets the minutes, he generally delivers.
More impressively, Keon's three-point shooting is getting more consistent. In each game, he shot three for six from beyond the arc. That's exactly what the Kings need from him on offense. He just needs to get more looks from long-range, and his accuracy will continue to improve.
There has to be a point where Doug Christie steps back, takes a real look at what Keon Ellis brings to the table, and realizes this is someone who could do big things for the franchise. If Keon's 2026 continues going like this, that realization will be unavoidable for Christie.