Sacramento Kings’ Most Valuable Trade Asset – An Uncomfortable Conversation

With the trade season underway, the Sacramento Kings will have to get creative if they want to keep up in the awful Western Conference. The Golden State Warriors signed Dennis Schröder and other teams in the West are guaranteed to fill up with talent as the season progresses.

The Kings have some moveable assets in Kevin Huerter, Trey Lyles and first-round picks, but they don’t have a big name with their commitment to keeping Keegan Murray in Sacramento. That is unless the Kings consider trading the young standout guard and fan favorite; Keon Ellis.

Ellis is averaging 6.3 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.2 steals and 0.8 blocks on 46.7% shooting from the field and 42.1% from beyond the arc. While those numbers don’t seem like much, he continues to contribute to winning basketball for the Kings.

He leads all Sacramento rotation players with a +9.6 on/off net rating. When he plays, the Kings have a net rating of +9.8 compared to +0.2 when he sits. While Ellis doesn’t light up the offense, he’s always in the right spot on defense and has a special knack for disrupting opponents on that side of the ball.

Whether it’s tucking the ball away as a help defender, providing plus on-ball defense or getting into passing lanes, Ellis can put together a defensive highlight reel on any given night.

Throw in his 42.1% shooting from beyond the arc and he’s one of the best 3&D players in the league.

So why would the Kings consider moving their undeveloped treasure? They desperately need more wing help behind Keegan Murray and have a ton of guards on the roster, and that’s without first-round pick Devin Carter having played another minute due to shoulder surgery.

Guards are a definite strength at guard and minutes are hard to come by, and Mike Brown stated earlier this season that finding minutes for Ellis is a challenge at times.

The other aspect that makes Ellis so valuable, not just to the Kings, but as a trade asset, is his contract. He is under contract for $2.1 million this season and has a team option for $2.3 million next year, making him one of, if not the best value contracts in the entire NBA.

Keon Ellis is a fan favorite and for good reason. But if the Kings want to make a big splash on the trade market this season and push themselves into the group of title contenders, they will have to make some tough decisions.

Monte McNair has done just that in the past, trading fan favorite Tyrese Haliburton for Domantas Sabonis. Fans may rake McNair over the coals if he trades Keon, but with a roster devoid of true top-tier assets, Ellis may be the missing ingredient to bring in the perfect wing to fill out this roster.

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