If the Boston Celtics are truly serious about dealing for Sacramento Kings guard Keon Ellis, recent reporting suggests that the field of potential suitors for his services just got more crowded. According to the Stein Line’s Jake Fischer, the Cleveland Cavaliers have joined the bevvy of ball clubs in pursuit of Ellis via trade ahead of the 2026 NBA trade deadline.
“There was considerable chatter Friday about Cleveland’s emergence as a bidder for Sacramento’s Keon Ellis,” writes Fischer on Saturday (Jan. 31) morning. “The Cavaliers are hardly alone in their Ellis pursuit, but they do appear determined to acquire him.”
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“The Kings were sifting through a variety of Ellis scenarios Friday,” adds the Stein Line reporter, “including larger trade constructions that could feature the likes of DeMar DeRozan, Malik Monk and Cleveland’s Hunter.”
Mar 24, 2025; Sacramento, California, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Keon Ellis (23) dribbles the ball next to Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard (11) in the fourth quarter at the Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images
“Word also surfaced that a specific three-team framework is being discussed between the Kings and Cavaliers that potentially includes Sacramento’s Dennis Schroder,” he adds. “Sacramento … has only increased the intensity of its talks to ship out Ellis entering the weekend … with the (Los Angeles) Lakers, (Indiana) Pacers, (San Antonio) Spurs and Celtics among several teams still hoping to factor into the race to acquire the defensive-minded guard.”
Such interest from Boston is likely contingent on other moves that would open up enough playing time for it to make sense expending assets to bring on Ellis. There is a very good chance the Celtics end up left behind on a deal for the Kings guard given the dependency of Boston doing other trades first, but it’s worth keeping an eye on regardless.
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This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: Report: Celtics among several teams in the hunt for Kings Keon Ellis