As the February 5 NBA trade deadline approaches, the Boston Celtics are among the teams actively engaged in discussions to acquire Keon Ellis from the Sacramento Kings, according to NBA insider Jake Fischer.
Ellis is an athletic, defense-first guard who can also shoot threes, making him an obvious fit in Joe Mazzulla’s system. Fischer reported that the Cleveland Cavaliers are pushing hard to land Ellis, but several other clubs — including the Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers — remain heavily involved.
Fischer wrote:
“The Kings were sifting through a variety of Ellis scenarios Friday, league sources say, including larger trade constructions that could feature the likes of DeMar DeRozan, Malik Monk and Cleveland’s Hunter. Word also surfaced that a specific three-team framework is being discussed between the Kings and Cavaliers that potentially includes Sacramento’s Dennis Schröder. Sacramento, sources say, has only increased the intensity of its talks to ship out Ellis entering the weekend … with the Lakers, Pacers, Spurs and Celtics among several teams still hoping to factor into the race to acquire the defensive-minded guard.”
Keon Ellis’ Performance and Value The 26-year-old has had a transitional 2025-26 season so far. In 43 games, he’s averaging 5.6 points, 1.3 rebounds, 0.6 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.5 blocks in 17.6 minutes off the bench or in limited starting roles.
His shooting splits are 39.7% from the field and 36.8% from three-point range. In January, Ellis showed flashes of impact: 14 points vs. Detroit, 10 vs. Philadelphia, and strong defensive contributions against Boston in their most recent loss.
Last season (2024-25) was his breakout year: 80 games (28 starts), career-high averages of 8.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.8 blocks on 48.9% FG and 43.3% 3PT shooting. That performance cemented his reputation as a reliable 3-and-D guard. Across his NBA career (all with the Kings since going undrafted in 2022), Ellis has played 195 games, averaging 6.3 points, 2.0 rebounds, 1.2 assists, and solid defensive numbers in roughly 19 minutes per contest.
Financial and Trade Context Ellis is on the final year of his rookie-scale contract, making him an attractive target for contenders looking to add perimeter defense and shooting without taking on massive salary. The Kings are reportedly seeking at least a first-round pick in return, though Boston’s reluctance to attach a first-rounder just to shed salary (e.g., in talks for Ivica Zubac) suggests they may try to structure a deal using second-rounders or smaller contracts.
Celtics’ Deadline Outlook Boston remains focused on adding frontcourt help, but Ellis represents a low-risk, high-upside perimeter addition that could immediately improve their defense and shooting depth. With Anfernee Simons still in trade talks and the team unwilling to give up significant draft capital just to shed salary, Ellis could be a realistic target that doesn’t require mortgaging the future.
Celtics Nation – do you think Keon Ellis is worth pursuing at the deadline?
Would he be a valuable rotation piece for Boston?Or should the Celtics save assets and focus solely on a big man?