Through 26 games in 2025-26, the Kings are 6-20. The team is 3-7 in their last 10 and has lost three straight. Sacramento is currently 13th of 15 teams in the Western Conference.
With their poor record, the Kings are expected to be sellers at the trade deadline. Reports say that Sacramento wants to part ways with veteran players. However, Sam Amick of The Athletic said that teams are keeping their eye on fourth-year pro Keon Ellis. Amick explained that Ellis is “a very popular player around the league.”
Will the Kings trade Keon Ellis?
“[Keon Ellis] is a very popular player around the league… The early sense is that the Kings would like to get a first if they were going to trade Keon.”@sam_amick with @CarmichaelDave & @JasonRoss1140 on Sacramento Kings guard Keon Ellis: pic.twitter.com/9lUd8o55t6
— Sactown Sports 1140 (@Sactown1140) December 18, 2025
In 2022, Keon Ellis went undrafted out of Alabama. He quickly signed a two-way contract with the Kings. Over four seasons, Ellis has appeared in 177 games and made 51 starts for Sacramento. Ellis stands at six-foot-four and has a six-foot-eight wingspan. The 25-year-old is easily the top defender on the Kings’ roster. Additionally, he shoots over .400% from beyond the arc for his career.
NBA insider Sam Amick reported that rival teams are monitoring Keon Ellis. He explained that Ellis is “very popular” among franchises around the league. Competitive teams would love to add a three-and-d talent like Ellis. Amick noted that the Kings would only trade Ellis for the right price. He believes Sacramento wants a first-round pick in return for Ellis.
The Pacers have expressed interest in Keon Ellis, per @MikeAScotto pic.twitter.com/sCHKMInpvl
— NBA Retweet (@RTNBA) December 18, 2025
Unfortunately, Keon Ellis has fallen victim to the logjam that the Kings have in their backcourt. Players like Zach LaVine, Russell Westbrook, and Dennis Schroder see more playing time. After averaging 24.4 minutes per game in 2024-25. Keon Ellis is down to 17.0 in 2025-26. His role has decreased this season.
The Kings have two obvious choices. Either trade Ellis by the deadline to get something in return, or let him hit free agency at the end of the year. If they are willing to let him walk, why not trade him and receive something back? Sam Amick noted that the Kings could ask for a first-round pick in return for Ellis. That would be massive given the fact that he was an undrafted player.
