It’s difficult to review a season for players we barely saw, but we’ll attempt to dive into Keon Ellis nonetheless.
The Sacramento Kings signed Keon Ellis as an undrafted free agent, using one of their two-way contracts. As an older rookie, already 23 years old, Ellis was a longshot gamble with the hope that he could be a 3-and-D contributor.
Ultimately, it’s difficult to judge Ellis’ production this year, as the Kings were good enough that (unlike some past seasons) they didn’t need to rely on a two-way player for heavy rotation minutes. Ellis played in just 71 minutes this season, mostly in garbage time. But between those minutes and his numbers from playing with the Stockton Kings, we can see that Ellis still holds promise.
Ellis is a pesky defender (he recorded 5 steals for Sacramento even in such limited minutes), and the three point shot seems reliable. In his limited minutes with Sacramento, Ellis went 6/12 from deep. In Stockton he shot 44% on over 4 attempts per game.
The toughest part for Keon’s future is finding opportunity for him to do more. Ellis is more of a shooting guard, and there just isn’t much room behind Huerter and Monk. But between the defense and the shooting I wouldn’t be completely surprised if the Kings gave him a shot as the team’s third-string point guard next season. Nonetheless, for an undrafted rookie on a two-way contract, Ellis had a good year. He certainly validated what the Kings saw in him initially, and hopefully he can continue to grow and find a way to contribute for Sacramento.
Give him a shot as the 5th guard, see what he can do. It’s a cheap option for a position that, hopefully, won’t need a lot of minutes this season.
His status may come down to what the Kings decide to do with this year’s two second round picks. I’m guessing they move/sell the #54. Everyone knows PHX needs some live bodies right now so they may be in the market for some 2nd round picks.
As to Keon, I too wouldn’t mind seeing him back on a 2-way deal. Maybe he can fill the Delly role?
Seems like he still belongs in Stockton. We need to build depth, let Keon hone his craft in Stockton for the time being.
Keep the G league players in the G league.
Agree- if Sasha signs, they have 4 first year guys. Too many. #24- for the roster and rotation, #38 for Stockton and # 54 for Lillard, or more likely to kick the can and get future second rounder.
The new cba allows for three 2-way contracts. If that change starts this year I would expect Keon and the two seconds to fill those roster spots.
I don’t have much to go on like the rest of us but to me asking him to be a PG might be too much. Let him play his natural position of SG. TD is gone (most likely) if Ellis can play similar D (which it appears he can) and he can shoot from deep well (which it appears he can) then he’s an excellent replacement for next season, rounding out the end of the bench. Let him start the season in that spot and if it’s not working out you can still add a vet who didn’t find his way onto a roster later or another promising young player in the G league that’s worth a look.
for the cost and my want of more money being used on players in the main rotation I think Ellis and his contract situation with Sacramento is basically perfect.
You say he is a SG. I thought he was a PG at Alabama.
From some google searches to investigate further… From what I am reading, he’s a shooting guard.
To me, he’s a perfect #15th man on the roster at the very worst. All for the cost of basically nothing in NBA terms.
Neemias Queta is a very similar example. At worst he’s the #15th man on the roster for a cost of almost nothing in NBA terms.
I’ll be a little disappointed if Monte doesn’t take advantage of what these two guys provide for this coming seasons roster. Cost = exceptional!!
Having confidence in Neemias and Ellis being talented enough to earn a spot in the roster = more money available to spend on getting guys that are expected to be in the starting 5 (at best) or part of an 8 man rotation (at worst). .
This is similar to how I feel.
They (as in Ellis, Edwards, & Queta) aren’t “needle-movers”, but they are exactly what they are supposed to be…young prospects on cheap contracts who need to get better to earn more real NBA minutes, but they are a year or two ahead of any late 1st or 2nd round rookie in terms of development. I like them better than paying a vet (likely with declining skills) a whole lot more to sit on the bench.
The LAC would bring Terrance Mann into the game for last possession of the first 3 quarters. The sole purpose was D and protect the stars. This is a good start role for Keon.
Terrance Mann was a known entity. Wouldn’t do anything a total dumbass rookie would do to jeopardize a game.
Keon?
Total unkown.
That’s not true. The Sacramento Kings know exactly what they have in Keon and Neemias. It’s just us that doesn’t know. We’re all really guessing when evaluating him. My point is more on their cost to the roster assemblage of taking the next step and advancing further in the playoffs and being a true contender.
They know they have a player with essentially zero NBA experience that they choose to put on the G League roster instead of the NBA team.
Keon played 2 years in college and a year in G League- and some games with the big club. There may be a different skill level or ability but he is not an unknown.
SOME games with the big club…….
NBA is different. If he had NBA skills and knowledge he would not be on the Stockton roster.
Why is everyone against actual NBA players?
Oh shit. Draymond Green is declining his player option.
https://twitter.com/ShamsCharania/status/1670825084892717062
Not a surprise, he wants one last big contract. Highly doubt the duds don’t resign him. I think they’re all in on giving this core one more run at it which is why I’d be trying to nab Kuminga or Moody. Perhaps a SnT involving Barnes.
I suspect duds resign him. Now they are really competing with Suns for the highest over the cap scenario. By next year they suffer all the challenges of being way, way over the cap and for many years. and he won’t play better for more money- he will play less well due to age. More money, less production.
Klank better look out for his extension next year. Nope.
This overspending on worn out old cores should benefit younger teams in the West like us.
I hope they max out Draymoron and Klay.
The Suns, Lakers and Clips in similar situations.
We’ll see what moves are made in FA, but right now I think these four teams will be fighting for a play-in spot next season.
I don’t understand how anyone believes he is worth $25M/yr, much less even $15M/yr.
His agents must have heard that someone is willing to pay him a long term contract, but I simply have a hard time believing anyone will pay him other than GS and I think that is just to please Curry.
IMO, Green is so overrated that its hard to fathom him turning down the player-option and not regretting it.
Must have Ellis, Metu, and Queta. Also must draft a player at 24 that will be on the roster and make all the difference to this team.
Where is the room for real NBA players?
Kings currently have just 7 guaranteed contracts for next season. Ellis, Metu and Queta are UFAs, along with Barnes, TD, Len, Lyles, and Delly. Then Dozier and Edwards have team options.
That’s 8 potential regular roster spots, plus two more for 2-way players. There is plenty of room for real NBA players.
I think there are now 3 two way contracts.
Metu is likely gone.
Ellis belongs in Stockton.
Queta I think has earned a chance to be the fifth big.
Also with the new CBA kicking in next year, player development will be that much more important. Have to develop players into rotational pieces.
Any thoughts on what the Suns are doing?
I think that’s too much cap space tied into three guys, all of whom have legit injury histories and tend to miss a fair amount of time. They are certain to trade Ayton as that’s their only means of getting some decent rotational players around their big 3.
Imagine if they never made the KD trade and instead just made this Beal trade:
Book
Beal
Mikal
Cam
Ayton
Still have all the first round picks sent out for KD.
I’d take that over what they have right now. The KD trade was an overpay and likely doesn’t age well.
I could definitely see them moving Ayton for smaller pieces. Teams like the Bucks, Mavs, or even the Dubs have the pieces to make that happen. Dubs could send Kuminga, Looney, and Payton II for Ayton.
As to Beal, I don’t think he agrees to the PHX deal without Durant already being there.
a few conflicting views on what the Suns are doing:
I’ll go with #1. It’s the new owner effect who has no patience and wants all the shiny objects.
This guy screams Vivek.
I’m guessing two years from now PHX sucks, KD old and oft injured, Beal the overrated player he is and Book demanding a trade.
KD hasn’t won shit without riding the Duds’ coattails, I don’t expect that to change.
This guy screams Vivek?
I don’t recall Vivek ever bringing 2 future hall of famers very near the twilight of their career onto the team and tanking our salary cap situation for the foreseeable future. Although I may have preferred that, honestly…
Keon-
the guy does play some serious defense with quick feet, long arms and anticipation. His 3 point shot has stabilized. I don’t think he is a PG- not a great handle or feel. Better than Dozier. Can he replace the role of TD? Better on D but less consistent shot and not as much shot creation.
Reminds me a bit of Terrance Mann of the LAC.
I think keep him. Kings do need a bigger defensive guard. He maybe it.
I do believe it is important to have depth on the roster and home-grown talent where a team does not have to trade all its assets for one old guy. This is the pro-Denver and anti Suns viewpoint.
New rumor aka Rumor of the Day:
Not OG Anunoby but Andrew Wiggins, may be available for trade.
Just me – but give me Wiggins over Anunoby ever day.
Wiggins is 28 (Feb 1995) and is currently finishing his Minnesota $146M/5 year ($32M 2022-2023) contract that ended this season and begins his new extension of $109M/4 years next season.
Great all around game both offensively and defensively, familiar to Coach Brown, and an upgrade for the frontcourt. His last three seasons had him play 71, 73 and just 37 games this past season – the full disclosure as to why he was out was left outside of public announcement and I agree it is none of anyone’s business – unless it is a health issue (and not a family one which is what was inferred). I don’t need to know what that is, but the team medical staff and front office and coaching staff do need to know. If they give it a thumb’s up – he is one heck of a player and would fit great on the Kings.
The rumor is Richaun Holmes, Davion Mitchell a FRP and a pick swap for last season’s starting All-Star Wiggins who is locked in for 4 more years.
So hypothetically the Kings trade their #24 at the draft along with Holmes, Mitchell, and a 2025 pick swap? It actually works mathematically, but I highly doubt the Warriors do that trade. That’s a straight t salary dump by them of a quality player that they can’t replace.
You mean like Washington just did for Bradley Beal to Phoenix?
It’s actually better than that trade for the Warriors, though Wiggins $27M/season isn’t $50M/season.
It’s a Bleacher Report thing – likely smoke, but ya nevah know
… maybe they trade Poole and Kuminga to the Dinos for Siakam or OG and thus trade away Wiggins..
again, I dunno, just throwin’ it out there
OG may stay- he and Siakem and Ugiri (sp?) have bonded over Basketball without Borders, Africa division and that bond is tight.
and the Raptors would not do this.
The Wiz deal is apples and oranges. Beal had a no-trade clause that screwed them. The Dubs print money and really don’t have to move Wiggins.
Miami offered, apparently (because who knows), players and first round picks, not a 38 year old oft injured PG who they are going to buy out and pick swaps.
I admit it – I don’t get how the Suns/Wiz deal makes any sense for the Wiz other than pure salary dump for the best player on your team.
I get that Washington wants to clear the books and reset the program – but dumping Beal for nothing is Vlade-esque.
To not even get a first round pick in a Beal trade is odd given they’re obviously tanking and rebuilding. And why didn’t they do this last offseason when they had a chance to tank for Wemby? Just a dumb franchise that’s Kings East.
It doesn’t matter what Miami offered if Beal said he wouldn’t go there. It seems to me that PHX was alone in the bidding war, which is why the deal feels so lopsided. It wasn’t an open market trade block.
Beal’s no trade clause is almost like him being a RFA. If he intends to sign with PHX then Washington has very little negotiating power, especially if they have no real intention to match. It kind of feels like when IT signed with PHX and Kings settled with a TPE and the draft rights to Oraikhi.
Interesting. Wiggins better on offense, but a bit streaky. Not bad on D but OG a bit better.
Holmes, Davion, #24 and a swap. Swap is a crap shoot. If Kings finish above duds a couple of years from now, then there is no swap.
This package is about the same as the OG offer but better for Kings (less picks). Solves the Holmes issue, converts the #24 into a proven wing but gives up Davion.
Davion and GP3 are a bit redundant. lil stephie gets rid of a nightmare. What do the duds really get? Kuminga who they are trying to trade moves to starting slot, get rid of salary and Holmes may work for them. Solves 2 of the Kings issues (length at wing, move Holmes) but does not solve get a 3rd guard with size or rim protection.
I like Davion, I like the possibilities at 24, I want Holmes gone and I want some length and D.
Wiggins plays far more than OG- last year was an aberration. He is not an alpha but I would do it.
Have to agree with you. I’d take Wiggins over OG. Give me the long term cost controlled player who has won a ship on the big stage over the potential one year rental.
Wiggins at 4/$109 (about $27-$30 million per the next 3 years / year 4 is a player option) is good value when you consider max contracts are currently around $50 million and headed higher.
I like OG better as a fit and as a player in general, but this is a fair deal for Wiggins IMO but I don’t see the Warriors doing it unless they inexplicably pay Draymond his $100M over 4yrs or whatever crazy amount he’s seeking and need to keep the PF spot open for him.
https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/1785109481327518235/C1C2E483A4AEAE6145E65ED6F2D8F722AA4E2767/
Cheap, still-developing, good size for the position, high-BBIQ, good man-on-man & zone defender, good 3-pt shot, developing shot-creation skills, and knowledge of the system. Just a solid depth player who is still getting better.
Nothing but positives in keeping Ellis and giving him more time on the court. IMO, he should be the 5th G behind Fox, Huerter, Monk, & Mitchell. In terms of team-building, if the Kings want to pay Fox, Domas, and maybe OG or another upgrade on the wing, and eventually Keegan and Monk (not too mention HB if he is re-signed), then we need to some quality depth like Q, Edwards, and Ellis all on cheap contracts.
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