With all of the All-Stars in the trade rumor mill early on during the 2025-2026 NBA season, it seemed like this year’s deadline could rival last season’s. With the trade deadline just weeks away, everybody is losing confidence in that thought.
There will be trades—but blockbusters are becoming unlikely. When it comes to an inevitable trade piece, the NBA Insider Marc Stein suggests that Sacramento Kings’ Keon Ellis is believed to be on the move.
Via The Stein Line: “League sources say numerous teams are in pursuit of Ellis, with the Kings believed to be seeking a first-round pick given the widespread interest. One source close to the process essentially describes an Ellis trade as an inevitability.”
With Ellis generating a market, the Kings seem to be aiming high with a first-round pick trade price.
To match Ellis’ salary, it won’t take much. He’s currently playing on a three-year, $5.1 million contract. Ellis is in the midst of a $2.3 million team option for the 2025-2026 season. He’ll be a free agent this upcoming summer.
Stein isn’t the only one to talk up Ellis’ market. According to The Athletic’s Sam Amick, “approximately 10 teams” are in pursuit of the young veteran. He’s an affordable young player with experience, who carries a valuable three-and-D skillset ahead of this year’s deadline.
This season, Ellis has appeared in 39 games for the Kings, starting in just five matchups. He is shooting 38 percent from the field, producing 5.3 points per game. Along with his scoring, Ellis is coming down with 1.3 rebounds per game and coming up with 1.1 steals.
Last year, Ellis was shooting 48 percent from the field, knocking down 43 percent of his threes on 4.0 attempts per game. The 26-year-old posted averages of 8.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.5 assists.
This season, the Kings are struggling with a 12-35 record. Seeing as though they are 14th in the Western Conference, they could be a fire sale candidate ahead of the deadline. While it doesn’t seem like the Kings are gaining a ton of attention for their prominent name players like DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine, Ellis could help them net a first-round pick for a future draft.
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