Kings’ Keon Ellis emerges as Lakers target, but price may be steep

The Lakers are sniffing around the trade market for help on the perimeter, and one name that keeps coming up is Kings guard Keon Ellis.

According to Dan Woike of The Athletic, league sources believe Sacramento’s current asking price for Ellis sits at a protected first-round pick. That alone tells you how split opinions are on the fourth-year guard.

On one hand, Ellis checks a lot of boxes. He’s a strong on-ball defender, a career 41.8 percent shooter from three, and makes just $2.3 million next season. For a cap-tight team like the Lakers, that matters.

On the other hand, there’s no leaguewide agreement on what Ellis actually is. One source described him to The Athletic as “maybe the most divisive player in the league.”

Scouts like him. Kings coaches have trusted him less. After starting 28 games last season, Ellis has made just two starts this year and is playing under 18 minutes per night.

Some teams see a defender who creates chaos. Others see a tweener guard without the size to hold up consistently.

There’s also risk. Ellis can hit unrestricted free agency this summer if he doesn’t sign an extension by February 9.

Still, Woike notes the Lakers remain interested, even as they monitor other defensive options. With limited draft ammo and a slipping market for Dalton Knecht, L.A. has to choose its shots carefully.