Los Angeles Lakers Trade Proposal Lands Keon Ellis From Sacramento Kings
An NBA trade proposal sending Keon Ellis from the Sacramento Kings to the Los Angeles Lakers has been created.
NBA writer Zach Kram of ESPN created the following trade proposal between the Kings and Lakers:
Los Angeles Lakers get: Keon Ellis
Sacramento Kings get: Dalton Knecht, 2032 second-round pick
The Lakers are interested in trading for Ellis, NBA sources told DallasHoopsJournal.
“Ellis is a natural fit for the Lakers, who rank 23rd in defensive rating and an even worse 29th since the start of December,” Kram wrote. “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.”
The Kings are 8-29 on the season. They have the second-worst record in the Western Conference.
Meanwhile, the Lakers are 23-12. They are in fourth place in the West.
Ellis, 26, is better suited to play for a contender like the Lakers, who need a lot of defensive help. A Florida native, Ellis is regarded as one of the most underrated perimeter defenders in the NBA.
For the Kings this season, Ellis is averaging 5.7 points and 1.4 rebounds per game while shooting 38.5% from the field, 35.5% from beyond the arc and 60.7% from the free-throw line. He becomes an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
Ellis has carved out a solid career after going undrafted. He holds career averages of 6.4 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game.
It will be fascinating to see if the Lakers acquire Ellis from the Kings, who are open to trading everyone on their roster except Keegan Murray and Nique Clifford.
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