Keon Ellis is one of the best defenders on the Sacramento Kings’ 2025-26 roster, while also being a knockdown three-point shooter.
For a roster that desperately lacks both defensive playmakers and shooters, you’d like Ellis would be a staple in their rotation. Yet, the fourth-year guard has played less than 15 minutes in 10 of their 21 games, including one DNP-CD.
Head coach Doug Christie has often referenced their “logjam” of guards, including Dennis Schroder, Russell Westbrook, Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Malik Monk, that Ellis is competing with. It’s an understandable conundrum to be in, but doesn’t eliminate the confusion behind Ellis seeing minimal opportunity.
On Tuesday’s edition of The Allen Stiles Show, Michael Scotto, NBA Insider for HoopsHype, expressed a similar confusion.
“I don’t understand it, quite frankly,” Scotto said regarding the lack of minutes for Ellis. “If you’re gonna sit a player that you’re about to trade, it wouldn’t have been for this extended period of time. That’s the baffling part of it. It seems more like it’s Doug’s call as far as the rotation.”
In the final year of his contract, Ellis would reach unrestricted free agency if he did not agree to an extension before then. That could come from Sacramento or any other team he may be traded to.
Of course, he’s far from the only player expected to be on the market for the Kings. General manager Scott Perry has the challenging task of identifying an ideal direction and return for the likes of LaVine, DeRozan, and/or Domantas Sabonis.
Scotto recently reported that Sabonis was unhappy with his usage this season, leading to questions about his future with the organization. He and Stiles discussed what the deadline could look like for the three-time All-Star as well.
Plus, should Perry pursue Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant? Or does he not fit the identity they’re attempting to create?
Listen to The Allen Stiles Show from 10 a.m – 2 p.m. PST, Monday through Friday, on Sactown Sports 1140.
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More Sacramento Kings coverage on Sactown Sports
Many Sacramento Kings fans are calling for the team to tank. NBA teams tank for one reason — it works.
There are, however, caveats. Tanking doesn’t ALWAYS work; it’s hard to keep fans engaged while you’re tanking, and flattened lottery odds make it more difficult than ever to land the best players in the draft.
There’s one other problem with tanking: It can take longer than you expect.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at how long it’s taken four teams, the Sacramento Kings are believed to be patterning their rebuild after, to complete the job; that is, how many losing seasons did each endure before posting a winning record?
Read More:
How long will it take the Kings to go from “rebuilding” to “rebuilt”?
When is the next Sacramento Kings game?
The Sacramento Kings will hit the road for a three-stop road trip that begins Wednesday night in Houston.
Sacramento will face the Rockets for the first time this season, a team that is off to a strong start and enters play against the Kings with a top-five seed in the loaded Western Conference.
Last season, Sacramento swept the season series (3-0) against Houston, winning the lone matchup at Toyota Center by a final of 113-103 on March 1st behind 21 points from DeMar DeRozan.
Be sure to catch all of the Sacramento Kings vs. Houston Rockets action right here on Sactown Sports 1140 AM, with pregame coverage beginning at 2:00 PM PT on The Drive Guys before a 5:00 pm PT tip-off from Houston, Texas.
Upcoming Sacramento Kings schedule for the 2025-26 season
Wednesday, December 3rd – @ Houston Rockets – 5:00 PM PT
Saturday, December 6th – @ Miami Heat – 5:00 PM PT
Monday, December 8th – @ Indiana Pacers – 4:00 PM PT
Thursday, December 11th – vs. Denver Nuggets – 7:00 PM PT
Sunday, December 14th – @ Minnesota Timberwolves – 4:00 PM PT
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