Keon Ellis

[pdxKingsFan]

any cap expert out there that can educate us on the impact of decline the option and re-sign vs current situation? This feels like a cap move to me of not declining the option.

If we declined the option I think his cap hold would have been just a few million bucks but as soon as he signed an offer sheet we either match or let him walk and he gobbles up ~15 million of cap space. That would put them very near the first salary cap apron which would limit their ability to use the Kevin Huerter trade exception and also the full MLE.

It also makes him a better trade asset if the Kings wanted to get draft picks or move a bad contract, something they might consider if he still is being underutilized near the trade deadline. This will make Kings fans apoplectic but if our other defensive pieces are commanding his minutes and the team is winning it is better to sell early than too late. Selling early is how OKC was made.

 

[The_Jamal]

If we declined the option I think his cap hold would have been just a few million bucks but as soon as he signed an offer sheet we either match or let him walk and he gobbles up ~15 million of cap space. That would put them very near the first salary cap apron which would limit their ability to use the Kevin Huerter trade exception and also the full MLE.

It also makes him a better trade asset if the Kings wanted to get draft picks or move a bad contract, something they might consider if he still is being underutilized near the trade deadline. This will make Kings fans apoplectic but if our other defensive pieces are commanding his minutes and the team is winning it is better to sell early than too late. Selling early is how OKC was made.

Yeah, it comes down to the Kings are not a franchise that can let a Keon Ellis talent walk out the door, in any sense. So if it's a trade, fine! If it's an extension, even better. It's just going to be nerve-wracking that you HAD full team control of this awesome player and we threw that out the window.

 

[luckytkp]

If we declined the option I think his cap hold would have been just a few million bucks but as soon as he signed an offer sheet we either match or let him walk and he gobbles up ~15 million of cap space. That would put them very near the first salary cap apron which would limit their ability to use the Kevin Huerter trade exception and also the full MLE.

It also makes him a better trade asset if the Kings wanted to get draft picks or move a bad contract, something they might consider if he still is being underutilized near the trade deadline. This will make Kings fans apoplectic but if our other defensive pieces are commanding his minutes and the team is winning it is better to sell early than too late. Selling early is how OKC was made.

I kind of see why we just picked up the option instead. While extending him later is not a guarantee, this moves definitely gives us more cap space to maneuver and might be do a sign and trade for guys like Kunminga.

 

[pdxKingsFan]

Yeah, it comes down to the Kings are not a franchise that can let a Keon Ellis talent walk out the door, in any sense. So if it's a trade, fine! If it's an extension, even better. It's just going to be nerve-wracking that you HAD full team control of this awesome player and we threw that out the window.

I doubt he walks for nothing. Worst case is probably something like the Deebo sign and trade where we get an asset back because he's gotta be worth more than the MLE and yet the only teams with money are likely to be bottom feeders.

I think its more likely he signs an extension at 18mil or whatever we can offer unless we just aren't playing him for whatever reason again. Then we may as well trade him?

 

[ockingsfan]

This may be a case of Perry betting on the Kings to improve enough with the additional cap space he has to be able to retain a player like Keon when the time comes next summer.

If we use up the cap space to re-sign Keon now, we wouldn’t have money to improve the team this summer, without going over the luxury tax and also possibly the first apron too. By retaining the flexibility of adding pieces with the salary we save from re-signing now, we may be able to improve the team and make moves that will puts the team firmly into playoff contention.

If the Kings surprise and make a run as a solid playoff team, everything should work out with Keon next summer. We can outbid every other team and if the vibes and team is good, I doubt Keon leaves us for less money elsewhere.

It’s definitely a big gamble with the Kings history, we will have to wait and see if it works out. If it doesn’t, yes this could be a Vlade level blunder. But, I’m willing to give Perry time to see how this plays out.

 

[Section 101]

This may be a case of Perry betting on the Kings to improve enough with the additional cap space he has to be able to retain a player like Keon when the time comes next summer.

If we use up the cap space to re-sign Keon now, we wouldn’t have money to improve the team this summer, without going over the luxury tax and also possibly the first apron too. By retaining the flexibility of adding pieces with the salary we save from re-signing now, we may be able to improve the team and make moves that will puts the team firmly into playoff contention.

If the Kings surprise and make a run as a solid playoff team, everything should work out with Keon next summer. We can outbid every other team and if the vibes and team is good, I doubt Keon leaves us for less money elsewhere.

It’s definitely a big gamble with the Kings history, we will have to wait and see if it works out. If it doesn’t, yes this could be a Vlade level blunder. But, I’m willing to give Perry time to see how this plays out.

It was a bad move. He probably gets a 3 year $45 mil deal this year max. Next year might be 4 years $100 mil.

 

[iowamcnabb]

It was a bad move. He probably gets a 3 year $45 mil deal this year max. Next year might be 4 years $100 mil.

The most we can offer is 18.5 next year I think Captn said. I doubt that any team comes over the top of that

 

[Capt. Factorial]

The most we can offer is 18.5 next year I think Captn said. I doubt that any team comes over the top of that

That's in terms of an extension. As a free agent, we would be able to go to his max contract, which would be 25% of the cap.

 

[sactowndog]

Yes, about $18.5M per year. But he wasn't likely to get that in the current free agent market either.

It’s the free agent market next year that matters. More teams will have cap space I believe.

 

[ockingsfan]

It’s the free agent market next year that matters. More teams will have cap space I believe.

It may look like more teams will have cap space next year now, but free agency hasn’t started yet. Once teams start signing players, the cap space teams will decrease.

 

[BuddyBuckets]

If that's what the market was it would be a no-brainer, thing is that's MLE money and we can have him one more year on the cheap and still top that while making the team better in the process. If he's worth more than that, again we can match or beat any offer.

It is all going to come down to whether or not he wants to be a King now, or if he would take less money to play elsewhere. We had the right to overpay him and force him to stay, or underpay him and gamble a bit on the team getting better before we pay him fair value. It's a shrewd move, and a calculated gamble. I can't say I love it or hate it.

If we could match it would be fine
Now hes an unrestricted free agent. The ask is tall.
2 years in a row we draft your potential replacement, while trading our star for a guy who plays in front of you. Now we ask you to wait another year to secure a long term deal?

The only leverage we have is that he signs the deal now and doesnt risk going into next offseason. Because if he gets there, id imagine he leaves. I wouldnt come back to a company that just put me on hold for a year while they prioritized everyone but me.

 

[Tetsujin]

It was a bad move. He probably gets a 3 year $45 mil deal this year max. Next year might be 4 years $100 mil.

For context, 4 years 100 million dollars is more than Jabari Smith Jr is making per year which probably isn’t going to happen for Keon with teams wary of another Bruce Brown Jr/KCP situation.

 

[NewArena]

This may be a case of Perry betting on the Kings to improve enough with the additional cap space he has to be able to retain a player like Keon when the time comes next summer.

If we use up the cap space to re-sign Keon now, we wouldn’t have money to improve the team this summer, without going over the luxury tax and also possibly the first apron too. By retaining the flexibility of adding pieces with the salary we save from re-signing now, we may be able to improve the team and make moves that will puts the team firmly into playoff contention.

If the Kings surprise and make a run as a solid playoff team, everything should work out with Keon next summer. We can outbid every other team and if the vibes and team is good, I doubt Keon leaves us for less money elsewhere.

It’s definitely a big gamble with the Kings history, we will have to wait and see if it works out. If it doesn’t, yes this could be a Vlade level blunder. But, I’m willing to give Perry time to see how this plays out.

Yea I'm willing to take that risk to be honest. No need to move all desperate right now, as Keon isn't and can't go anywhere else just yet anyhow. I am anxious to see what Scott Perry wants to do next though

 

[sono]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1939514913732632639

 

[jiimbob]

Again, I hope Keon is in the Kings long term plans.
However, I was watching clips of Isaac Nogués and got me wondering, how similar are their skills and who is more the two way player. Isaac looks pretty relentless on the defensive side, looks strong, and only 21.

 

[KayDee55]

Again, I hope Keon is in the Kings long term plans.
However, I was watching clips of Isaac Nogués and got me wondering, how similar are their skills and who is more the two way player. Isaac looks pretty relentless on the defensive side, looks strong, and only 21.

Keon is a proven NBA player, Nogues, right now, cant do anything on offense other than fast break layups.
Guys like him dont get a lot of playing time in the NBA. Its just a shot in the dark from us, hoping he will develop the three.

Lets not hype up guys like nogues or say that a 42nd pick will be as productive as Markkanen, but concentrate on what we have and what we know.
I still believe that Keegan has a higher offensive peak than most people give him credit for.

 

[jiimbob]

yeah, I’m just thinking outside of financial reasons why they only picked up his option.
Keon and Malik are my two favourite Kings at present. I love their personalities and what they bring on the court, unfortunately neither one of them are viewed capable of being a lead.
So, even though it’s two old expensive veterans that I would love to see moved to improve this team, I think the likelihood it’s Keon or Malik. Or, if all goes right, Perry pulls off something amazing and moves the old guys allowing Keon to get his payday.

 

[Tetsujin]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1939692399502238148

 

[Jdbraver137]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1939692399502238148

Let’s hope the schroder deal is one year.

 

[Tetsujin]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1939694055690305809

you mean they didn’t arbitrarily do something without knowing whether or not it would tick the guy it affects off?!

 

[sactowndog]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1939694055690305809

you mean they didn’t arbitrarily do something without knowing whether or not it would tick the guy it affects off?!

I don’t think you can criticize what Monte did with Domas in signing him and preventing him from signing a forward and also criticize this Keon decision. It’s a risk that could cost us Keon but not taking risk is part of what cost Monte his job.

 

[iowamcnabb]

This makes sense. Scott seems like a really transparent guy. “Straight shooter with a side of love”. There is no reason for him to not love Keon as a player, gotta believe he will be signed down the road.

 

[BuddyBuckets]

I don’t think you can criticize what Monte did with Domas in signing him and preventing him from signing a forward and also criticize this Keon decision. It’s a risk that could cost us Keon but not taking risk is part of what cost Monte his job.

Put me in the camp that criticized them both for these decisions. I think the context needs to be taken into consideration.

Early extending Sabonis (who was happy and already making significant money) and re-upping Barnes, was a clear lets run it back. It was also a good young team who had cap space for what looked like the last time. There was potential to go upgrade to a Dillon Brooks, Cam Johnson, PJ Washington when it was clear the team clearly lacked that position. Doing what we did that summer took us out of the running for these types of players.

Now fast forward to the Keon decision. This was our best chance to lock Keon up with his only suitors really being MLE level contracts that we could happily match. Also signing Keon now, did nothing to change our FA plans. We still could sign Schroder, yes we would be a few million over the tax, but we would have all season to figure out how to get under. Many teams go into the season over, then look at dumping guys around the deadline to sneak under it. IIRC Clippers, Grizzlies, Hawks all made deadline moves to do that this past year.

Also from what Perry has said, LaVine, DeRozan, Monk are all candidates to be moved. Now I understand he isn't moving them now, teams rather explore other options. But I'm confident come deadline time, Monk/Demar can be moved for lesser salary/expirings. And these guys aren't in the long term plans, where Keon is. So the big difference is that now we have a new GM, who from all Sac media "wants to put his own stamp on the team" meaning a re-tool is absolutely coming. This is much different then post GSW playoffs where we had the young core in place, and the idea should have been maximizing that roster around the core.