The Los Angeles Lakers' 26-year-old phenom Luka Dončić will lead the storied franchise into a new and exciting era, but the organization's general manager Rob Pelinka's work is far from over despite extending the 5-time All-NBA First Team selection on a 3-year, $165 million contract extension this past summer.
Now, Pelinka's goal will be to continuously supply the Slovenian superstar with great supporting talent over the next few years, and a new update has indicated that an obvious trade target and perfect partner for Dončić has entered the fray.
If the Lakers' front office begins a search for young two-way talent in the near future, one NBA writer recently suggested that a quickly developing guard from the Sacramento Kings will be an obvious trade candidate throughout the 2025-25 season.
"As the Los Angeles Lakers prepare for the official dawn of the Luka Doncic era, they must keep a close eye on potential trade target Keon Ellis," FanSided's Maxwell Ogden wrote Tuesday.
"The Sacramento Kings wing is entering the final season of his current contract and will be an unrestricted free agent in 2026."
"If the Lakers are confident they can keep Ellis long-term, then trading for one of the best young 3-and-D wings in the NBA would be a no-brainer of an in-season move."
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Though it would certainly be difficult to pry one of the NBA's best up-and-coming role players away from the organization that gave him his shot as an undrafted prospect in 2022, the Lakers could offer up their former No. 17 overall pick in the NBA Draft Dalton Knecht and other valued pieces in a hypothetical deal for Ellis.
At just 25 years old, the skilled guard has burst onto the scene in recent years thanks to his incredible defensive motor and lethal three-point shooting accuracy.
Ellis authored a magnificent campaign for Sacramento in 2024-25, as he contributed 8.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 0.8 blocks while registering a blistering 43.3% shooting clip from distance on 4.0 attempts spanning 80 games and 28 starts.
The 6-foot-6 combo-guard also posted an impressive 2.0 defensive box plus-minus on the year, further emphasizing his major impact on that side of the ball.
After an unreal season on both ends, Los Angeles could certainly view Ellis as a top priority and wonderful backcourt partner for the slower-footed Dončić as the 2025-26 trade deadline approaches.
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