Keon Ellis Trade Talks Intensify, Cavs Among Suitors

According to Fischer (Twitter link), Sacramento is “sifting through” a number of trade scenarios involving Ellis, some of which would involve him being packaged with a higher-salary veteran such as DeMar DeRozan or Malik Monk.

A three-and-D guard who has a career three-point percentage of 41.4% and a team-friendly cap hit of $2.3MM, Ellis has seen inconsistent playing time during his stint with the Kings and has faced questions about his size and his ability to slow down bigger guards. However, he’s viewed as an intriguing target for teams in need of defensive help, with Sacramento reportedly seeking a late first-round pick.

Because Ellis’ cap hit is so modest, nearly any team in the NBA could put together an offer for him. Stein stated earlier this week that about 14 clubs had registered interest, and reports in recent weeks have provided at least a partial list of those clubs — the Timberwolves, Pacers, Celtics, Knicks, Lakers, Clippers, Bucks, and Warriors have all been linked to Ellis since mid-January.

According to Stein and Fischer, the Cavaliers are also among the teams with an eye on Ellis, who will become eligible for a contract extension on February 9 and would reach unrestricted free agency this summer if he doesn’t sign a new deal before then.

As a second-apron team, Cleveland wouldn’t be able to acquire Ellis without sending out a player who has a larger cap hit. Lonzo Ball ($10MM) is among the Cavs’ trade candidates, as is De’Andre Hunter ($23.3MM), but there’s not a lower-salary player on the roster who would make sense as an obvious outgoing piece in an Ellis deal unless the club is willing to move Dean Wade ($6.6MM).

For what it’s worth, Monk and Ellis make a combined $21MM, so Cleveland could theoretically take both players back in a trade involving Hunter. DeRozan’s cap hit ($24.6MM) rules him out as an incoming piece for the Cavs in a Hunter deal.