One rumored trade target for the Celtics found a new home on Saturday night with an East rival. Shams Charania of ESPN.com reports that Kings guard Keon Ellis will be sent to the Cleveland Cavaliers along with Dennis Schroder in a three-team trade with the Bulls. The Cavs will send De’Andre Hunter to the Kings in the swap, while the Bulls will take back Dario Saric from the Kings along with two future second-round picks.
The Celtics were rumored as suitors for Ellis dating back to Thursday. NBA insider Jake Fischer also mentioned Boston this afternoon as a potential landing spot for Ellis, noting the Celtics were after him along with the Lakers and Spurs. Ultimately, Cleveland offered up a 3-and-D wing in Hunter to get the deal done while taking back some long-term money in Schroder’s deal.
Ellis, 26, is averaging 5.6 points and 1.3 rebounds per game this year for Sacramento in a reserve role and faced off against Boston on Friday night in a blowout loss for Sacramento. The 6-foot-4 guard is in his fourth NBA season but has seen a downturn in playing time this year amid a crowded Kings backcourt with Russell Westbrook, Zach LaVine, Malik Monk, and Schroder all seeing bigger minutes ahead of him.
Ellis’ cheap contract ($2.3 million) this season and defensive ability made him a popular trade target for playoff teams like Boston.
He now heads to Cleveland, where he will provide some defensive depth in the backcourt behind Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland. The Cavs are likely not done dealing either, as bringing aboard Schroder and Ellis makes Lonzo Ball very expendable in that backcourt.
The NBA trade deadline is Feb. 5 at 3 p.m.