The Sacramento Kings are stuck between a difficult season and a rebuild. That means they need to start getting trades done, particularly for players they don’t seem to want like Keon Ellis. If they miss the trade deadline, Ellis will walk in free agency this summer and leave the Kings with nothing.
Ellis has been around the league and the Kings long enough to know when the writing is on the wall. He knows his time in Sacramento is likely coming to an end soon, either through a trade or as a free agent this summer. At this point, Keon is might be ready to find some new scenery.
Keeping in mind he has had to deal with injuries this season, Ellis received incredibly inconsistent minutes and usage. Frankly, he spends most of his time on the bench. Being that Ellis is a sought after 3&D player across the league, the Kings not putting effort into him makes absolutely no sense.
Doug Christie is the problem here
As a member of the coaching staff, Christie has been part of the Kings’ since 2021. He was an assistant coach for a few years until then head coach Mike Brown was fired on December 27, 2024. Christie was named interim head coach that day, a move that became permanent on May 1, 2025.
Ellis was signed by the Kings in 2022, spent most of his time in the G League, and eventually became a part of the main roster. The point is that Christie has been part of the coaching staff as long as Ellis has been associated with the Kings.
One would think that means Christie is as familiar with Keon’s potential as anyone else in the league. That certainly should be the case, but it could also mean that he formed negative opinions about Ellis as an assistant coach that have followed him into his role as the head coach.
Ellis needs to find a new home
Whatever the issue is, it certainly seems that Christie is the one keeping Ellis on the sidelines. The only way for Keon to explore his full potential in the league is to leave Sacramento behind and find a team that is actually willing to put the work into his development.
There are reputedly no shortage of teams interested in Ellis, either. According to some reports, Keon Ellis may be the hottest trade property the Kings have. Numerous teams see who Ellis could be on their roster, and want to help him get there.
For the Kings, they need to get Ellis traded soon. If he’s not moved before the trade deadline, they’re stuck with him until he walks in free agency this summer. At that point, Sacramento gets nothing for one of the hottest 3&D players in the league right now except a lot of “what if” articles about them.