[Rumor] Fischer: Keon Ellis a popular name on the market but Kings also interested in extending him
- Thread starter Tetsujin
- Start date
BuddyBuckets
Bench
Extend this man ASAP. How does this team not see the disrupter he is on defense? Give him 30mpg and he leads the league in steals + shoots 40+% from 3. Every single team wants that guy. Denver paid Braun 25 million a year. KCP got 20+. You telling me we don't want to resign Keon because he might cost 10-15?
ShastaKingsFan
Hall of Famer
It appears the Perry may not like the idea, because he didn't find him. If that is the mind set and reasoning, we're in for more futility
We'll see. So far, Perry hasn't made any franchise altering type moves (unless we say signing old vet PGs to play in front of our young talent counts)
How he handles Keon will be the first big move that comes his way. Guess We'll find out how important the "six pillars" and "defense first" mantra really is
iowamcnabb
Hall of Famer
If he is traded for a pick it would likely be a future one. Not to draft his replacement but to have extra picks to dance around the Stepien rule and or package in a bigger trade. After teams draft their core they often struggle to get over the top when they reach contender status because they have limited asset flexibility. Kings have 1 future first that isn’t their own. Restocking the cupboard is hard when Lavine, Deebo and Monk don’t have that kind of value. Only Domas and Keon have that potential.
Six NBA trade proposals: How the Lakers, Bucks, Warriors and others could make major moves
Let's help Milwaukee build around Giannis, the Lakers and the Timberwolves fill major needs, and Golden State end its long saga.
Keon Ellis
Dalton Knecht
2032 second-round pick
Ellis is a natural fit for the Lakers, who rank 23rd in defensive rating and an even worse 29th since the start of December. His 3-point shot has regressed this season (35.5%, versus 42.9% in his career prior), but that lack of offensive oomph is precisely why the hard-nosed defender might be attainable in a small-scale deal like this.
The Kings also don't seem to value Ellis very highly, given his minutes keep fluctuating: Within his past 10 games, Ellis has played at least 30 minutes twice and 10 minutes or less four times. With the young guard set to reach free agency this summer (he also can sign an extension before then), Sacramento might think it makes sense to cash in now for a second-round pick and Knecht, a 2024 first-rounder who'd bring shooting and decent size to the roster's wing rotation.
If Sacramento sets a higher price point for Ellis' contract, the Lakers could struggle to bridge the gap: The 2032 pick is their only tradable second-rounder, and they likely would prefer to save their only tradable first-rounder (in 2031 or 2032) for a bigger target. And many other teams in need of perimeter defensive help should be interested in Ellis at the deadline. -- Kram
Marks' analysis: Outside of Keegan Murray and Nique Clifford, Ellis is the one player on the Kings' roster whom team executives covet. Ellis fills a need for the Lakers, who would acquire his Bird rights for next season. More importantly, Ellis' $2.4 million free agent hold allows the Lakers to use cap space in free agency to fill out their roster and still exceed the cap to sign the guard. Knecht would be traded for a second straight season, but unlike his short tenure with the Charlotte Hornets, this trade would actually go through. He would have a blank slate in Sacramento and ample playing time on a roster that is rebuilding. Knecht is under contract through the 2027-28 season and extension-eligible in the 2027 offseason. Considering Ellis was likely going to leave Sacramento in free agency, identifying a player on a controllable contract such as Knecht is important for the Kings.
Caccia
Starter
That would be February 9, 2026, after the trade deadline.
Light it up
G-League
The Keon situation sucks because we can't extend him until after the trade deadline. So not trading him is risky because he can just walk at the end of the year and we get nothing. Hopefully there is some sort of promise in place but that is probably just wishful thinking.
LPKingsFan
All-Star
They cannot sign him to an extension until Feb 9, but I’d be surprised if they haven’t already discussed potential terms. They should have a good idea of whether or not he will extend before the deadline.
We can't extend him until after the trade deadline. That is the issue/fear that is going to make the next month maddening for everyone.
If he wants to move on we'd still be in the driver's seat for a sign and trade deal if he is above MLE level player.
If he's a discount role player we should be nervous about paying the Sac-tax on him. I'd like to think we've got an extension ready to sign and its been discussed to death and we'll know whether or not he's signing it before the deadline passes.
QWERTYLICIOUS
Starter
I find it interesting that Marks's analysis is that Ellis is likely leaving in free agency and Lakers need his Bird rights would imply he'd leave above the MLE level, which to me means only one or two teams can even make a deal without a sign and trade.Six NBA trade proposals: How the Lakers, Bucks, Warriors and others could make major moves
Let's help Milwaukee build around Giannis, the Lakers and the Timberwolves fill major needs, and Golden State end its long saga.www.espn.com
Los Angeles Lakers get:
Keon Ellis
Sacramento Kings get:
Dalton Knecht
2032 second-round pick
Ellis is a natural fit for the Lakers, who rank 23rd in defensive rating and an even worse 29th since the start of December. His 3-point shot has regressed this season (35.5%, versus 42.9% in his career prior), but that lack of offensive oomph is precisely why the hard-nosed defender might be attainable in a small-scale deal like this.
The Kings also don't seem to value Ellis very highly, given his minutes keep fluctuating: Within his past 10 games, Ellis has played at least 30 minutes twice and 10 minutes or less four times. With the young guard set to reach free agency this summer (he also can sign an extension before then), Sacramento might think it makes sense to cash in now for a second-round pick and Knecht, a 2024 first-rounder who'd bring shooting and decent size to the roster's wing rotation.
If Sacramento sets a higher price point for Ellis' contract, the Lakers could struggle to bridge the gap: The 2032 pick is their only tradable second-rounder, and they likely would prefer to save their only tradable first-rounder (in 2031 or 2032) for a bigger target. And many other teams in need of perimeter defensive help should be interested in Ellis at the deadline. -- Kram
Marks' analysis: Outside of Keegan Murray and Nique Clifford, Ellis is the one player on the Kings' roster whom team executives covet. Ellis fills a need for the Lakers, who would acquire his Bird rights for next season. More importantly, Ellis' $2.4 million free agent hold allows the Lakers to use cap space in free agency to fill out their roster and still exceed the cap to sign the guard. Knecht would be traded for a second straight season, but unlike his short tenure with the Charlotte Hornets, this trade would actually go through. He would have a blank slate in Sacramento and ample playing time on a roster that is rebuilding. Knecht is under contract through the 2027-28 season and extension-eligible in the 2027 offseason. Considering Ellis was likely going to leave Sacramento in free agency, identifying a player on a controllable contract such as Knecht is important for the Kings.
The Lakers would have the full MLE depending on LeBron James. Considering the man is talking about not playing back to backs if he stays with the Lakers and wants to compete for a title you'd think he'd be willing to take less pay to make sure they Lakers can offer the full MLE to get the help they desperately need...
As for Dalton Knecht, give me a break.
QWERTYLICIOUS
Starter
NOSix NBA trade proposals: How the Lakers, Bucks, Warriors and others could make major moves
Let's help Milwaukee build around Giannis, the Lakers and the Timberwolves fill major needs, and Golden State end its long saga.Los Angeles Lakers get:
Keon Ellis
Sacramento Kings get:
Dalton Knecht
2032 second-round pick
Ellis is a natural fit for the Lakers, who rank 23rd in defensive rating and an even worse 29th since the start of December. His 3-point shot has regressed this season (35.5%, versus 42.9% in his career prior), but that lack of offensive oomph is precisely why the hard-nosed defender might be attainable in a small-scale deal like this.
The Kings also don't seem to value Ellis very highly, given his minutes keep fluctuating: Within his past 10 games, Ellis has played at least 30 minutes twice and 10 minutes or less four times. With the young guard set to reach free agency this summer (he also can sign an extension before then), Sacramento might think it makes sense to cash in now for a second-round pick and Knecht, a 2024 first-rounder who'd bring shooting and decent size to the roster's wing rotation.
If Sacramento sets a higher price point for Ellis' contract, the Lakers could struggle to bridge the gap: The 2032 pick is their only tradable second-rounder, and they likely would prefer to save their only tradable first-rounder (in 2031 or 2032) for a bigger target. And many other teams in need of perimeter defensive help should be interested in Ellis at the deadline. -- Kram
Marks' analysis: Outside of Keegan Murray and Nique Clifford, Ellis is the one player on the Kings' roster whom team executives covet. Ellis fills a need for the Lakers, who would acquire his Bird rights for next season. More importantly, Ellis' $2.4 million free agent hold allows the Lakers to use cap space in free agency to fill out their roster and still exceed the cap to sign the guard. Knecht would be traded for a second straight season, but unlike his short tenure with the Charlotte Hornets, this trade would actually go through. He would have a blank slate in Sacramento and ample playing time on a roster that is rebuilding. Knecht is under contract through the 2027-28 season and extension-eligible in the 2027 offseason. Considering Ellis was likely going to leave Sacramento in free agency, identifying a player on a controllable contract such as Knecht is important for the Kings.
QWERTYLICIOUS
Starter
Yeah, as soon as I saw Dalton Knecht, it became a hard NO for me. Nothing else attached to the deal mattered at that point.
Well dealing with the Lakers is generally a hard no for me but I guess there is always some miracle deal where we could actually get the better end of the deal instead of them getting something for nothing.
Oh one more part about Marks's analysis - he says that other NBA GMs rate Nique Clifford but I guess not Maxime? At this point while Domas's long term future is in the air, I'd imagine we'd not be fielding any offers but it's hard for me to believe he is not generating interest when teams inquire about DeMar or Zach.
Joshyjosh31
Starter
Ya that counts no reason a lottery pick should be waving towels for westbrick on a bottom three team.
Six NBA trade proposals: How the Lakers, Bucks, Warriors and others could make major moves
Let's help Milwaukee build around Giannis, the Lakers and the Timberwolves fill major needs, and Golden State end its long saga.Los Angeles Lakers get:
Keon Ellis
Sacramento Kings get:
Dalton Knecht
2032 second-round pick
Ellis is a natural fit for the Lakers, who rank 23rd in defensive rating and an even worse 29th since the start of December. His 3-point shot has regressed this season (35.5%, versus 42.9% in his career prior), but that lack of offensive oomph is precisely why the hard-nosed defender might be attainable in a small-scale deal like this.
The Kings also don't seem to value Ellis very highly, given his minutes keep fluctuating: Within his past 10 games, Ellis has played at least 30 minutes twice and 10 minutes or less four times. With the young guard set to reach free agency this summer (he also can sign an extension before then), Sacramento might think it makes sense to cash in now for a second-round pick and Knecht, a 2024 first-rounder who'd bring shooting and decent size to the roster's wing rotation.
If Sacramento sets a higher price point for Ellis' contract, the Lakers could struggle to bridge the gap: The 2032 pick is their only tradable second-rounder, and they likely would prefer to save their only tradable first-rounder (in 2031 or 2032) for a bigger target. And many other teams in need of perimeter defensive help should be interested in Ellis at the deadline. -- Kram
Marks' analysis: Outside of Keegan Murray and Nique Clifford, Ellis is the one player on the Kings' roster whom team executives covet. Ellis fills a need for the Lakers, who would acquire his Bird rights for next season. More importantly, Ellis' $2.4 million free agent hold allows the Lakers to use cap space in free agency to fill out their roster and still exceed the cap to sign the guard. Knecht would be traded for a second straight season, but unlike his short tenure with the Charlotte Hornets, this trade would actually go through. He would have a blank slate in Sacramento and ample playing time on a roster that is rebuilding. Knecht is under contract through the 2027-28 season and extension-eligible in the 2027 offseason. Considering Ellis was likely going to leave Sacramento in free agency, identifying a player on a controllable contract such as Knecht is important for the Kings.
What is this crap
BuddyBuckets
Bench
I heard conflicting reports from Ham earlier in the season.
Either way, I'd rather lose him for nothing than trade him for a 2nd.
Get a true 1st, extend him, or watch him leave. Selling for a 2nd 7 years from now from the lakers would crush my soul.
I generally do not like S&T deals but if he doesn't want to play here I think we'd be more likely to get fair value in return on a sign and trade than we will for a random pick.
The other exception is if he were rolled into a Zach deal that included two FRPs coming back. In that case you are using his low contract to offset Zach's stupid contract.
I'd really like to keep him because as soon as the vets are gone there's a clear role for him here and I think everyone understands that.
BuddyBuckets
Bench
I think Zach + Keon is at best returning an expiring package no picks. If Trae is going for neutral/negative value, Zach is very negative.
I'm fine trying to resign him and then trying to find a S&T if that doesn't work. But I suspect teams will be lining up with MLE to sign him. So predictable this would happen when Perry made his choice this past summer.
SacTownKid
Hall of Famer
And the really iffy thing is that if Perry goes out and gets Kuminga and signs Keon to anything close to his max extension a big chunk of the "rebuild" is going to be over at that point because they're right back on the hook and have to pay Kuminga. You don't want to start a rebuild with Keegan making 28 million, Kuminga making probably around that, and Keon potentially making above MLE money. Flexibility is the most prized possession in the NBA these days and that ain't it.
But when you shed LaVine/DDR/Monk, possibly Domas, that money has to go somewhere.
It all comes down to lottery luck and draft capital. The Spurs had money like that tied up then win top 4 picks three years in a row.
We need to always be trying to add an extra pick. I think even at the end of the golden years it was bad drafting and not trying to move up in drafts that doomed us to the 2008-2009 season.
Jdbraver137
Starter
It makes no sense to bench monk and play Westbrook/shroeder. I’m sorry just no. And it sucks to have to watch those two play
It does if Monk is already agreed to in a trade package that can't go through for another week.
Jdbraver137
Starter
Kinda dumb to agree ahead of time. Things change so quickly.