As the NBA trade season gears up, Sacramento Kings guard Keon Ellis is emerging as one of the league’s hottest trade assets. According to Kurt Helin of NBC Sports, the Los Angeles Lakers trade rumors include interest in the young 3-and-D wing. With LA in pursuit of defensive stability and perimeter shooting, Ellis could be the kind of player who fills critical gaps for their championship push.
Lakers Trade Rumors Highlight Sacramento’s Mismanagement of Ellis
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Despite showing promise last season, Ellis has seen his playing time cut under Kings coach Doug Christie, averaging seven fewer minutes per game than in 2024. Helin notes that “it still baffles the mind why Sacramento Kings’ head coach Doug Christie seems so disinterested in developing Ellis, [but] the rest of the league does not feel the same way.”
Last season, Ellis averaged 8.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.5 steals in 24.4 minutes per game, shooting 48.9% from the field and 43.3% from three. This season, limited minutes have stunted his statistical output, but his defensive versatility and three-point shooting remain appealing to contenders—making him a focal point of Lakers trade rumors.
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Why Lakers Trade Rumors Center Around Keon Ellis
LAL, currently 18-7 and fourth in the Western Conference, boast an elite offensive trio in Luka Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves, but their defense ranks 20th in the league. Adding a guard like Ellis could immediately improve perimeter defense and spacing.
As Zach Buckley of Bleacher Report notes, “The best version of Ellis could help fill some of this club’s most pressing needs… He could reserve nearly all of his energy for the defensive end while sustaining an offensive diet of open catch-and-shoot chances.”
Insiders report that the team is specifically searching for 3-and-D wings in the prime age range of 25–27, making Ellis a fitting target. With other options like Herb Jones reportedly out of reach financially, Ellis could become the ideal, cost-effective solution and the centerpiece of ongoing Lakers trade rumors.
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The Potential Fit
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Moving from Sacramento to Los Angeles would not just provide Ellis with more opportunity—it would elevate him to a contending environment. The Lakers could deploy him as a defensive stopper on opposing wings while leveraging his shooting on catch-and-shoot plays, complementing the existing stars on the roster.
As Marc Stein reported, “League sources say that the Lakers would naturally like to be in the 3-and-D market this Trade Season, but it’s a very limited market at this juncture, essentially headlined by Sacramento’s Keon Ellis.”
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Conclusion: Lakers Trade Rumors Heating Up
While the Kings continue to underutilize him, Ellis represents a rare combination of youth, defensive acumen, and shooting. For LA, acquiring him could address a glaring roster weakness and provide meaningful support for their backcourt stars in a stacked Western Conference. As trade talks heat up after December 15, Lakers trade rumors will almost certainly feature Keon Ellis as a top target, giving him the opportunity to finally shine in a contender’s uniform.