The NBA trade deadline is less than one week away, meaning that the time has come for the Sacramento Kings to make some moves.
As the February 5th (12 pm PT) deadline nears, first-year Kings general manager Scott Perry has several key players on his roster that would benefit from a change of scenery, but none in higher demand than guard Keon Ellis.
Ellis, who is on a team-friendly, expiring $2.3 million contract, has been in and out of head coach Doug Christie’s rotation this season.
One year removed from a career season in which he shot 43 percent from beyond the arc (8th in the NBA) and collected 121 steals (5th in the NBA), Ellis has seen his playing time decrease from 24.4 to 17.5 minutes per contest.
As Perry evaluates the best path forward for a Sacramento Kings team that currently holds the third-worst record in the league, moving Ellis may open the door to other opportunities to reshape this roster.
Moving Ellis appears to be inevitable, but couldn’t the Kings use a three-and-D type of player in the future? Is there any chance Sacramento may hold onto the Alabama product and try to work out an extension following the trade deadline?
On the latest edition of The Matt George Podcast, George and Sactown Sports’ Chris Watkins discussed the unlikely possibility of an Ellis-Kings extension.
“I would never say never, because stranger things have happened, and we know money talks, right? So if the Kings aren’t able to move on from Keon Ellis — which I don’t know how they wouldn’t be able to at this point — Sam Amick has shared that there are as many as 10 teams interested in Keon Ellis. He has value. At the very least, you should be able to get, hopefully, a late first-round pick or multiple second-round picks for Keon,” George said.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 01: Keon Ellis #23 of the Sacramento Kings shoots the ball against the Houston Rockets during the first half at Toyota Center on March 01, 2025 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
(Photo by Alex Slitz/Getty Images)
“It sounds like — and this is speculation — there are already deals on the table that are Plan B, C, and D. And it seems like Plan A, if I were in Perry’s position, would be attaching Keon to a contract you’re trying to move on from. You kill two birds with one stone and convince a team to be more willing to take on a DeMar DeRozan contract, a Zach LaVine contract, or something of that nature. Again, money talks.
“So if Keon is not here, and the Kings offer Keon more money — essentially overpay him relative to what we think his market value is — maybe Keon says, ‘Alright, fine. I’ll deal with it. You paid me, I’ll take the payday.’ I’d never rule that out completely.”
It’s possible the Kings end up balking at trade offers for Ellis over the next week, but if they do, why would Ellis want to remain in a situation that has seen his playing time fluctuate?
Finding a new home, one with more stability, is likely the priority for Ellis and his camp–regardless of a trade during the deadline or if he makes it to unrestricted free agency this offseason.
“But if I’m Keon Ellis — or if I’m advising Keon Ellis — even though I’m rooting for the success of the Sacramento Kings for my own sanity and fandom, I’m telling him to get the hell out of here,” George continued. “The organization is trending in the opposite direction of where you want to go. You’re trying to ascend, and the Kings right now are very diligently descending.
“And while I do think Keon Ellis could be part of a rebuild, and could be part of the team that comes out on the other side and becomes a legitimate playoff team for years — not just a flash in the pan — that feels a long way away. Given how Keon has been treated this season — in and out of the rotation, inconsistent playing time — I wouldn’t feel good hitching myself to this wagon long-term if I were him.
“So I think the Kings understand that if they don’t move Keon Ellis, he’s going to leave and sign somewhere else — which he has every right to do.”
If the Kings are going to move on from Ellis, it’s best to cash in and get something back in return. But what?
PORTLAND, OREGON - SEPTEMBER 29: Matisse Thybulle #4 of the Portland Trail Blazers poses for a portrait during media day at Moda Center on September 29, 2025 in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
“But for both sides here, strike while the iron is hot,” Watkins said. “Kings, make sure you get something for Keon Ellis while his name still carries value. Herb Jones is still in New Orleans. Matisse Thybulle was moved from Philadelphia, but now he’s in Portland — and, to your point, kind of rotting away. Nobody is having Matisse Thybulle trade conversations at this deadline.
“So it’s best for the Kings to strike while the iron is hot. And Keon Ellis — your name is hot right now. A lot of people think you can be the 3-and-D connector on a championship team. Try to get out of here as quickly as you can. As you said — and like our friend De’Aaron Fox once said — the grass is greener on the other side.
“It feels like two ships passing in the night, going in completely different directions.”
It seems more likely that the Sacramento Kings will attach Ellis to one of the more-expensive contracts on the books this deadline in hopes of making a deal more likely for interested teams.
DeMar DeRozan, who is averaging 19.1 points per game on 50/33/87 shooting splits, may be a fit for teams like the Portland Trail Blazers (9th seed in the West) as they look to make a playoff push.
DeRozan, 36, is making $24 million this season, with a partially guaranteed ($10 million) option for the 2026-27 season.
Would attaching Ellis to DeRozan in trade talks be enough to get a deal done with the Trail Blazers?
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 12: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Sacramento Kings shoots the ball against the Atlanta Hawks at Golden 1 Center on November 12, 2025 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
“We haven’t talked enough about Portland as a potential landing destination. DeMar DeRozan,” George said. “I feel like it makes a ton of sense. I want your opinion on this, and listeners, if you haven’t heard this trade package, tell me what you think.
“There’s Trade A and Trade B. Trade A is the one I think Scott Perry would prefer: Robert Williams III and Matisse Thybulle — both expiring contracts — plus the 2028 Orlando first-round pick. Make it lottery-protected; it doesn’t have to be a great pick. A first-rounder for DeMar DeRozan and Keon Ellis.
“Trade B is if Portland doesn’t want to include a first. You take Keon Ellis out of it. You do Robert Williams III, Matisse Thybulle, and two second-round picks. They have four seconds in 2027 — they’re not using all four. Take two of those, and you get DeMar DeRozan.
“That’s the range I’m thinking in terms of fair value or a realistic DeMar DeRozan trade.”
What do you think, Kings fans? Let us know in the comments of the latest edition of The Matt George Podcast.
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Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season
Thursday, January 29th – @ Philadelphia 76ers – 4:00 PM PT
Sunday, January 30th – @ Boston Celtics – 4:30 PM PT
Sunday, February 1st – @ Washington Wizards – 3:00 PM PT
Wednesday, February 4th – vs. Memphis Grizzlies – 7:00 PM PT
Friday, February 6th – vs. Los Angeles Clippers – 7:00 PM PT
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