As trade season begins around the NBA, it’s clear that the stumbling Sacramento Kings will be active in discussions with several teams in efforts to turn over a roster that is currently well under the .500 mark.
The Athletic‘s Sam Amick joined The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross on Thursday to share his intel on where things stand around the league, dive into the discussion of NBA expansion, and highlight the value of Kings guard Keon Ellis, who is “popular” in trade discussions.
Ellis, who is the Kings’ best defender and a talented long-distance shooter (42% during his NBA career), has fallen victim to Sacramento’s current logjammed roster.
Veterans like Russell Westbrook, Zach LaVine, Malik Monk, and Dennis Schroder are ahead of Ellis on the depth chart, meaning his minutes per game average has fallen from 24.4 during the 2024-25 campaign to 17.0 this season.
Since the Kings picked up Ellis’ $2.3 million team option for this year, the 25-year-old guard will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, giving him the right to sign with any team.
Sacramento has two choices for Ellis: keep him past the deadline and hope he signs an extension when he becomes eligible on February 9th, or trade him.
While the Kings contemplate whether to dangle Ellis in trade talks or focus on finding common ground on an extension come February, teams around the NBA have made it clear they are interested in the two-way guard.
“The Keon Ellis market, I’m pretty confident saying that it’s going to be in the news. He is a very popular player around the league,” Amick said of the Sacramento Kings guard.
“There’s still somewhat of an interest on the Kings’ part if there was an extension down the road. They like Keon, but then the fans could of course say, ‘how can you say you like Keon when you don’t always play Keon?'”
Regarding what Sacramento could get in return for Ellis if he is moved, Amick said that the Kings would like to get a first-round pick, something that was echoed by ESPN Front Office insider Bobby Marks, who spoke with The Drive Guys this week.
Be sure to check out the entire interview with Sam Amick by scrolling to the top of this article or on the Sactown Sports 1140 YouTube page.
Topics Discussed
Sam reflects on his experience at the NBA Cup Championship in Las Vegas
The NBA is close to finalizing an expansion plan, with a decision expected in 2026.
Could the league relocate Memphis and/or New Orleans rather than add two teams?
December 15th has arrived, meaning most players around the league are eligible to be traded.
Are the Sacramento Kings being active in trade talks?
Sam says Keon Ellis is a “very popular player around the league.”
“The early sense is the Kings would like to get a first-round pick if they move Keon.”
Listen to The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross from 6 – 10 a.m. PST, Monday through Friday, on Sactown Sports 1140.
Click here for full episodes of The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross
More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports
The Sacramento Kings are almost sure to make a move–or multiple–before the NBA Trade Deadline on February 5th.
While Sacramento will look to relocate some of its veterans on the roster, the future of guard Keon Ellis has also come into question as trade season begins.
Ellis, who is the Kings’ best defender and a talented long-distance shooter (42% during his NBA career), has fallen victim to Sacramento’s current logjammed roster.
Veterans like Russell Westbrook, Zach LaVine, Malik Monk, and Dennis Schroder are ahead of Ellis on the depth chart, meaning his minutes per game average has fallen from 24.4 during the 2024-25 campaign to 17.0 this season.
Since the Kings picked up Ellis’ $2.3 million team option for this year, the 25-year-old guard will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, giving him the right to sign with any team.
Sacramento has two choices for Ellis: keep him past the deadline and hope he signs an extension when he becomes eligible on February 9th, or trade him.
Bobby Marks on Keon Ellis’ trade value: 1st round pick?
Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season
Thursday, December 18th – @ Portland Trail Blazers – 7:00 PM PT
Saturday, December 20th – vs. Portland Trail Blazers – 7:00 PM PT
Sunday, December 21st – vs. Houston Rockets – 7:00 PM PT
Tuesday, December 23rd vs. Detroit Pistons – 7:00 PM PT
Saturday, December 27th – vs. Dallas Mavericks – 2:00 PM PT
Thank you for readingSactownSports.com. Follow us onTwitterandGoogle News, and subscribe to ourYouTubechannel.