The Los Angeles Lakers have given Luka Doncic the proverbial key to the city. He's been identified as the new franchise player in every way imaginable, including having his voice heard and considered in regard to offseason additions.
If the Lakers are perusing the trade market for one last splash to make the most of Doncic's first full season in Los Angeles, then they must keep an eye on Sacramento Kings wing Keon Ellis.
Ellis is one of the best-kept secrets in the NBA, but word is beginning to get out about him. He's a committed defender and an efficient three-point shooter who has the tools to develop into one of the best 3-and-D wings the Association has to offer.
Unfortunately, Ellis also plays for a Kings team that will need to find minutes for the likes of DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, Malik Monk, and Dennis Schröder.
With four productive veterans commanding significant playing time, as well as the addition of first-round draft pick and Summer League standout Nique Clifford, minutes could be tough to come by. If that scenario plays out, Ellis may look for a way out of Sacramento.
If that hypothetical outcome materializes, then it would behoove the Lakers to act quickly and bring Ellis in to play a role he's perfectly qualified to take on alongside Doncic.
Keon Ellis would be the perfect 3-and-D complement to Luka Doncic
Sacramento has every reason to hold on to Ellis, especially if it's a California rival who comes calling. He'll be an unrestricted free agent next summer, however, which creates the potential for the Kings to move him if they feel he won't re-sign.
Ellis' $2,301,587 contract creates an admittedly difficult salary-matching process on the trade front, but additional players could be included to get the deal over the finish line.
In terms of what he'd provide the Lakers with, the 25-year-old is the prototypical 3-and-D player. In 2024-25, he averaged 8.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.5 steals, 0.8 blocks, and 1.7 three-point field goals made in just 24.4 minutes per game, shooting at a clip of .489/.433/.849.
Ellis' averages translated to marks of 12.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, 2.2 assists, 2.2 steals, 1.2 blocks, and 2.6 three-point field goals made per 36 minutes.
Beyond the numbers, Ellis is an energetic defender who willingly takes on opposing teams' best scorers. He's proven effective against slashing guards and sharpshooting wings alike, utilizing his active hands to create turnovers, as well as his impressive toughness and athleticism to fight over screens.
Ellis also shot 43.3 percent on catch-and-shoot threes in 2024-25, thus making him the perfect complement to slashing playmakers such as Doncic, LeBron James, and Austin Reaves.
Furthermore, Ellis would be entering an ideal scenario with Marcus Smart present to act as a potential mentor. Smart, a former Defensive Player of the Year, can impart wisdom to a player who has the capacity for All-Defense success in his own future.
Trading with a rival is never a pleasant experience, but if the Lakers play their cards right, they could add a transformative complementary player to compete alongside Doncic.