Keon Ellis might not be playing much for the Kings right now, but that has not cooled his trade market one bit.
Ellis has been a DNP-CD in two straight games this week after sitting out two last weekend with a minor knee issue. Even so, league interest remains strong.
According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, roughly 10 teams have checked in on the fourth-year guard, and a deal could come by or before the February 5 trade deadline.
Sacramento is said to be seeking a late first-round pick in return. That is a notable price for a role player, but Ellis has quietly built a reputation as a useful, plug-and-play piece.
The Kings have multiple potential trade candidates on the roster, yet Ellis is the one drawing the most traction so far, per Sam Vecenie of The Athletic. The offensive ceiling is limited. He is not a creator, not a high-usage scorer, and does not have ideal size to handle bigger wings or forwards.
But he brings energy, competes defensively, and can knock down open shots. For contenders looking to upgrade perimeter defense without taking on a major contract, that checks a lot of boxes.
At age 26, Ellis is in his prime and on a manageable deal, which only adds to the appeal. Sacramento may ultimately decide he is more valuable as a trade chip than a long-term rotation piece.
Either way, he is one of the names to monitor as the deadline approaches.
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