Apr 13, 2025; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Keon Ellis (23) gestures against the Phoenix Suns during the first quarter at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: John Hefti-Imagn Images
One of the first major decision new GM Scott Perry had to make with regards to the current roster is what do with regards to Keon Ellis’s final year team option. Picking up the team option locks Ellis in at $2.3 million for this season but also means he will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, while turning it down would have made Ellis a Restricted Free Agent, allowing the Kings to match any offer but also having to pay him more now. Per reports, Perry and the Kings went with the former option, increasing their flexibility for this season but also risking losing one of their most talented young players for nothing in the future if an extension can’t be worked out.
The Kings can still lock Ellis up to a big extension later in the season when he becomes eligible on February 9th. The maximum they can offer him is around 4 years and $89 million. But if an extension isn’t worked out, Ellis could test the waters in free agency. That’s ultimately the gamble the Kings are making, but hopefully the Kings feel good about their chances to retain Ellis in the long term. Ellis has emerged as one of the better young players the Kings have developed in recent years. After signing a two-way contract with the Kings out of college, Ellis emerged in his second year to become a solid rotation piece and eventual starter, bringing tough-nosed defense and solid shooting (42.9% from three over his first three seasons) to a team in desperate need of both.
Now it remains to be seen what the Kings will do with the extra room they will have when NBA Free Agency starts today at 3 pm. There’s a lot of smoke that the Kings are the favorites to land Dennis Schröder, and Marc Stein reports today that the Kings could also still be looking at adding another lead guard even if Schröder does join, with both Russell Westbrook and Malcolm Brogdon being mentioned. The trade market might also heat up. Regardless, big changes are coming for the Sacramento Kings, but at least Keon Ellis will be a part of the picture for now.