NBA Rumors: One Kings Trade That Could Quietly Help the Lakers — and It’s Not for a Star

As the Sacramento Kings continue to surface in trade rumors ahead of the NBA deadline, most attention naturally gravitates toward their biggest names. Players like Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan, and Domantas Sabonis dominate speculation whenever Sacramento is mentioned.

However, the one potential Kings trade that could genuinely benefit the Los Angeles Lakers doesn’t involve a star at all.

According to ClutchPoints NBA insider Brett Siegel, the player drawing “significant interest” around the league is Keon Ellis — a low-cost, defense-first wing who fits a need the Lakers have struggled to address all season.

🔍 Keon Ellis Emerging as a League-Wide Target

Speaking on Clutch Scoops with Tomer Azarly, Siegel highlighted Ellis as one of Sacramento’s most intriguing trade chips — largely because of his contract and versatility.

“One of the names that's actually drawing significant interest right now because of his contract — he's on the final year of his deal, only $2.3 million on the books — that's Keon Ellis,” Siegel said.

“There’s been rumors about the Lakers being interested.”

Ellis may not move headlines the way an All-Star would, but teams across both conferences view him as a plug-and-play rotational piece who can contribute immediately.

🟣 Why Ellis Makes Sense for the Lakers

The Lakers’ interest is easy to understand. Perimeter defense has been one of their most glaring weaknesses, and Ellis checks several boxes Los Angeles values:

• Young, athletic wing defender
• Comfortable playing a low-usage offensive role
• Expiring, team-friendly contract
• Ability to fit next to ball-dominant stars like Luka Dončić

Siegel added that Ellis fits the Lakers’ preferred roster-building timeline, especially when paired with Dončić.

“It would not shock me if the Lakers were looking at a guy like that on the wing, because they do need another wing defender,” Siegel explained.

“They could bring him in, pair him with Luka, and extend him on a smaller-term contract — similar to what they tried to do with Jared Vanderbilt.”

That comparison is telling. The Lakers have long searched for a dependable wing stopper they can trust in high-leverage situations. Ellis may not be a finished product, but he offers defensive reliability at a fraction of the cost of bigger-name targets.

🔄 A Low-Risk, High-Fit Trade Option

Unlike blockbuster trades that drain draft capital and flexibility, acquiring Ellis would likely come at a modest price. For a Lakers team already constrained by the CBA and limited assets, that matters.

While it remains unclear whether Sacramento will ultimately move Ellis, interest around the league suggests the Kings will at least listen. If they do, the Lakers could quietly position themselves as one of the more logical landing spots.

🧠 Final Take

Not every impactful trade involves a star. Sometimes, the smartest moves are the ones that address a clear weakness without mortgaging the future.

If the Lakers are serious about shoring up their perimeter defense, Keon Ellis may end up being one of the most realistic — and effective — targets available.