Sacramento Kings shooting guard Keon Ellis has become one of the most sought-after players on the trade market. A high-level 3-and-D wing with athleticism and efficiency in spades, Ellis looks the part of the type of player every team needs—and the Los Angeles Lakers are no exception.
Despite the widespread interest that Ellis has received, the Kings don't seem to be asking for much in return for him in a potential trade.
The Lakers' need for Ellis stems from the dreadful quality they've displayed on defense. It doesn't hurt that he's an elite three-point shooter, as Los Angeles has been remarkably inefficient despite having top-tier playmakers creating open looks.
According to Sam Amick of The Athletic, roughly 10 teams have expressed interest in acquiring Ellis. The Kings' asking price: A late first-round pick.
"League and team sources say the Kings continue to draw serious interest in veteran guard Keon Ellis, with approximately 10 teams in pursuit of the 26-year-old...The Kings are seeking a late first-round pick in the deal, those sources said."
Though the Lakers can't offer a 2026 first-rounder, they can include a 2031 first-round draft pick, as well as the optionality of a pick swap, in a potential deal.
Kings asking for a late first-round pick for Keon Ellis
Los Angeles' offer for Ellis may not provide enough immediate value to convince Sacramento to agree to the terms. It's the unfortunate reality of competing for a player who has, as Amick reports, around 10 teams in the market for him.
If the Kings are prioritizing youth and upside in a trade for Ellis, however, there is a reasonable path to the Lakers acquiring him.
Dalton Knecht and a future first-round pick would give the Kings an instant and long-term influx of promising talent. Though Knecht has struggled to secure playing time in 2025-26, he turned heads prior to the Luka Doncic trade in 2024-25.
As a sharpshooting wing who has displayed the ability to create offense for himself, Knecht can help the Kings usher in a new generation of under-25 players.
As far as what the Lakers would be getting in return, Ellis is a high-energy point of attack defender and a career 41.5 percent shooter from beyond the arc. In 2024-25, when he actually received consistent minutes, 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 on .489/.433/.849 shooting.
For a Lakers team that ranks No. 25 in defensive rating and No. 23 in three-point field goal percentage, Ellis is a legitimate dream target.
Though Sacramento may receive better proposals than what the Lakers can muster, Ellis is still a realistic target in light of Amick's report. Los Angeles can at least come close to meeting the asking price and have thus been positioned to make a meaningful offer if they choose to do so.
From long shots to realistic trade partners, the Lakers are on the right end of an update and could finally make meaningful progress toward adding Ellis if they see fit.