The Sacramento Kings may prove to be an uneasy ally for the Los Angeles Lakers ahead of the 2025 NBA trade deadline. Los Angeles has a desperate need for defense and three-point shooting along the wings, while Sacramento needs cohesion in its rotation.
With an opportunity to help one another achieve said goals, the Lakers must at least consider exploring a potential deal with the Kings.
In the trade, the Lakers would receive 3-and-D wing Keon Ellis and familiar face Malik Monk from the Kings. Sacramento, meanwhile, would be adding Rui Hachimura and Dalton Knecht to a rotation in need of both three-point shooting and off-ball talent.
The final framework of the deal would appear as follows:
Though there is reason to question if either side would agree to this trade, it's a deal that would improve both sides' long-term outlook.
Why the Sacramento Kings might say yes
The primary reason the Kings might be open to this exchange is the fact that getting Monk off the books would create significantly more financial freedom. Monk has three years and $60,570,105 remaining on his contract including the 2025-26 campaign, with a $21,582,451 player option for 2027-28.
By swapping Monk for Hachimura, the Kings would not only shed a hefty salary, but get an expiring contract in return that can alleviate a significant financial burden this coming offseason.
Furthermore, Hachimura is the big and athletic forward that the Kings effectively lack to help balance their rotation. He could conceivably play alongside defensive specialist Keegan Murray and provide head coach Doug Christie with the type of malleable skill set that can help establish a team identity.
Losing Ellis would be tough, but it'd act as compensation for the Lakers taking a financial risk by bringing Monk back to Los Angeles.
Furthemore, the two sides would effectively be swapping disgruntled up-and-comers who aren't consistently factoring into their respective teams' rotation. Knecht would get a fresh start in Sacramento and perhaps receive the opportunity to return to the productive ways that made him a fan favorite during his rookie season.
The hurdle here is convincing the Kings to part with a future first-round draft pick, but with Hachimura offering structure and financial relief, Knecht representing untapped potential, and Monk coming off the books, the Kings may just be willing to accept this offer.
Why the Los Angeles Lakers might say yes
Taking on Monk's contract is an admittedly tall ask, particularly when the Lakers are so close to clearing significant cap space. He's played in Los Angeles before, however, and has proven at multiple stops that he's an unselfish player who can work both with and without the ball.
If the Lakers are willing to bring Monk back, then they'd be getting one of the most promising 3-and-D wings in the NBA in Ellis—as well as his Bird rights for free agency—alongside him.
Ellis is the exact player the Lakers need. He's an athletic wing defender who can meet players at multiple positions at the point of attack. He's also a career 41.5 percent shooter from beyond the arc. As such, there's ample reason to believe he can play major minutes alongside Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves.
Compounded by the fact that Monk is shooting 41.7 percent from three-point range in a trying 2025-26 season, the Lakers could diversify their offense and improve the defense in one fell swoop.
The 2029 first-rounder is the difference maker that puts this deal over the top. As it stands, the Lakers can only trade their 2030 or 2031 first-round draft picks. If this move were to go through, however, Los Angeles would be able to either trade two first-round selections or simply utilize them to build out the roster.
Between a high-level 3-and-D wing, a sharpshooting former fan favorite, and access to draft capital for use in trades or at the annual selection process itself, the Lakers would take a huge step forward.