Lakers Trade Offer for Keon Ellis + Why a Malik Monk/Keon Ellis Trade Makes SENSE!
As the NBA trade deadline looms, the Los Angeles Lakers find themselves at the center of the league’s rumor mill, searching for ways to bolster their roster for a postseason push. One name that has emerged as a coveted target is Sacramento Kings guard Keon Ellis—a player whose skillset and contract situation make him a fascinating, if complicated, option for Los Angeles. Reports indicate that half the league has reached out to Sacramento about Ellis, and multiple sources confirm the Lakers are among the most interested suitors.
But what would it take for LA to land Ellis? What is his true value, and how might the Lakers structure a deal that works for both sides? Let’s break down the latest reporting, Ellis’s profile, trade scenarios, and the broader impact of such a move on the Lakers’ championship aspirations.
Keon Ellis: The Coveted 3-and-D Guard
Keon Ellis has quietly become one of the most intriguing trade chips on the market. At 25 (soon to be 26), Ellis is a young, athletic, two-way guard who offers legitimate three-and-D value. This season, he’s averaging 6 points, 1.5 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and just under an assist per game in only 17 minutes per contest. His shooting splits—35.9% from three (career 41.7%)—are impressive, especially considering his role and usage.
Key strengths:
Three-point shooting: Career 41.7% from deep, with a quick release and reliable catch-and-shoot mechanics.
Defense: Averaging over 2 steals per 36 minutes, with active hands and excellent anticipation.
Age and upside: Still developing, with untapped potential as a rotational guard on a contender.
Contract situation: Ellis is on an expiring $2.3 million deal, making him an unrestricted free agent this summer. This adds risk for any team trading for him, as his market value is unpredictable and retaining him may require a significant offer.
The Lakers’ Interest: Why Ellis Fits
The Lakers’ need for a two-way guard is no secret. While LeBron James and Anthony Davis anchor the team, LA’s supporting cast has struggled with consistency, especially on the perimeter. The Lakers lack a true three-and-D guard who can defend top scorers, hit open threes, and contribute in transition.
Ellis fits the bill perfectly:
Defensive playmaking: Can guard multiple positions, disrupt passing lanes, and generate turnovers.
Floor spacing: His shooting ability would complement LeBron and AD, opening up driving lanes and punishing help defenses.
Youth and energy: Adds athleticism and hustle to a veteran-heavy rotation.
The Trade Market: What’s the Price?
Sacramento reportedly wants a first-round pick for Ellis, but that price may be unrealistic given his expiring contract and the risk of losing him in free agency. The Lakers, meanwhile, have just one tradable first-rounder left (2031) and are reluctant to part with it for a role player.
Recent reports suggest LA is willing to offer Dalton Knecht—a promising rookie sharpshooter—but not their first-rounder. Knecht’s salary matches Ellis’s, making a simple one-for-one swap possible under the cap. However, Sacramento may want more, such as additional draft compensation or a pick swap.
Potential trade packages:
Knecht + second-round pick for Ellis: A fair offer, but may not satisfy Sacramento’s desire for a first.
Knecht + 2028 or 2030 first-round pick swap for Ellis: Adds value without giving up a full first-rounder.
Expanded deal including former Lakers: Sacramento may look to shed salary by including Malik Monk, who signed a four-year, $78 million deal in 2024 but has struggled to find a consistent role.
Alternative Trade Pathways: Adding Value and Flexibility
If a simple Knecht-for-Ellis swap isn’t enough, the Lakers could consider a multi-player or multi-team deal to sweeten the pot:
1. Malik Monk + Keon Ellis for Gabe Vincent, Max Christie, and draft compensation
Sacramento’s motivation: Offload Monk’s contract (owed $18.8M this season, rising to $21.5M by 2027-28) for expiring deals and cap flexibility.
Lakers’ benefit: Add Ellis’s defense and Monk’s scoring/playmaking off the bench, while sacrificing non-essential rotation pieces.
2. Dalton Knecht + Rui Hachimura for Monk + Ellis (with draft compensation)
Sacramento gets: A young shooter and a versatile forward, plus possible pick swaps or seconds.
Lakers get: Two proven bench contributors, with Ellis as the defensive upgrade and Monk as a microwave scorer.
3. Three-team deal involving salary dumps and additional wings
Brooklyn or another cap-space team could absorb expiring contracts, allowing LA and Sacramento to swap assets more flexibly.
The Malik Monk Factor: Is He Worth the Gamble?
Monk, a former Laker, is still just 27 and brings instant offense, shooting 40.8% from three on 4.3 attempts per game in limited minutes. He’s a proven sixth man, posting 11.5 points per game in only 21 minutes this year, with secondary playmaking ability (5.5 assists per game last season). While his contract is sizable, his fit in LA is clear—he thrived alongside LeBron and Austin Reaves during his previous stint.
Sacramento’s desire to move Monk is well-documented, and the Lakers could benefit from his familiarity with the system and locker room. The risk is financial, but with LA prioritizing win-now moves, Monk’s scoring punch could be invaluable.
Expiring Contracts: The Risk and the Reward
Ellis’s expiring deal is both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, it keeps LA’s books flexible for summer moves; on the other, it means the Lakers could lose him for nothing if he commands a big offer in free agency. Monk’s longer contract is more secure, but also more expensive.
The Lakers must weigh these factors carefully, balancing short-term improvement with long-term flexibility.
The Value Equation: Is Ellis Worth a First-Rounder?
Given Ellis’s limited minutes and inconsistent role in Sacramento, it’s unlikely the Kings will get a full first-round pick for him. His defensive impact and shooting are real, but his market value is suppressed by his contract and usage.
A package centered around Knecht, a pick swap, and expiring deals is more realistic. If Sacramento insists on a first, LA may need to walk away or expand the deal to include Monk or another asset.
The Fit: How Would Ellis and Monk Change the Lakers?
Adding Ellis would immediately upgrade LA’s perimeter defense, allowing the team to match up better against elite guards and wings. His shooting would also improve spacing, making the offense more dynamic.
Monk, meanwhile, would provide bench scoring and playmaking, replacing some of the production lost if Hachimura or Christie is moved. Together, they would give the Lakers a deeper, more versatile rotation, capable of adapting to different playoff matchups.
The Broader Impact: Lakers’ Championship Window
With LeBron and AD still playing at a high level, the Lakers are in win-now mode. Upgrading the rotation with Ellis and/or Monk could be the difference between a first-round exit and a deep playoff run. The Western Conference is loaded, and every marginal improvement matters.
Financial flexibility remains key—LA must avoid saddling itself with bad contracts or sacrificing future picks unnecessarily. Expiring deals, pick swaps, and creative multi-team trades are the tools Pelinka must use to thread the needle.
Potential Roadblocks: Sacramento’s Stance and Market Competition
With half the league reportedly interested in Ellis, Sacramento can afford to play hardball. If another team offers a first-rounder or a more attractive package, LA may need to pivot to other wing targets (Ochai Agbaji, Haywood Highsmith, Isaac Okoro, Naji Marshall).
The Lakers’ asset limitations—few picks, limited young talent—make negotiations tricky. LA must be aggressive but not reckless, leveraging its appeal as a contender and Ellis’s desire for a bigger role.
The Best-Case Scenario: Lakers Land Ellis Without Overpaying
If LA can acquire Ellis for Knecht, a pick swap, and expiring contracts, it’s a win. If Monk can be included at a reasonable price, even better. The Lakers would add shooting, defense, and bench scoring without mortgaging the future.
Worst-case, LA walks away and explores other options, maintaining flexibility for the summer.
Final Thoughts: The Path Forward
The pursuit of Keon Ellis encapsulates the Lakers’ trade deadline strategy—targeting undervalued two-way players, maximizing flexibility, and avoiding overpaying in a competitive market. Ellis’s youth, shooting, and defense make him a perfect fit, but his expiring contract and Sacramento’s demands complicate negotiations.
If LA can thread the needle—offering Knecht, pick swaps, and expiring deals—they could land one of the best 3-and-D guards available, strengthening their playoff rotation and keeping the championship window open.
As the deadline approaches, the Lakers must stay nimble, creative, and focused on value. Ellis may not be a star, but he could be the missing piece that helps LA contend for another title.
