The Los Angeles Lakers reportedly plan to add a young 3-and-D player before this season’s trade deadline, according to NBA insider Marc Stein of The Stein Line.
Lakers Can Afford Keon Ellis
Per Stein, although the Lakers “would naturally like to be in the 3-and-D market,” the market is “headlined” by just a few players such as Sacramento Kings guard Keon Ellis and New Orleans Pelicans forward Herb Jones. Stein noted that the cost for Jones is “presumed to be beyond the Lakers’ current trade means,” indicating that Ellis could be the most likely 3-and-D target for the Purple and Gold.
What’s more, the Pelicans aren’t interested in trading Jones at this season’s deadline anyways, per The Athletic’s Dan Woike. New Orleans also isn’t impressed with the Lakers’ trade assets.
For such a trade, the Lakers would only be able to offer expiring contracts and a single first-round pick. That future first-rounder, which could be in 2031 or 2032, is less valuable than it was viewed both before the Luka Doncic trade and since Mark Walter’s purchase of the franchise.
During the offseason, Jones and the Pelicans agreed to a three-year, $68 million contract extension. Jones now has a total of five years and $97 million on his deal, with a player option in 2029-30.
Kings Have Limited Ellis This Season
As for Ellis, the 6-foot-4 shooting guard hasn’t seen as much action this season. Through 24 appearances (two starts) with the Kings this campaign, Ellis is averaging 5.3 points, 1.3 rebounds, 1.2 steals, and 17 minutes per game while shooting career lows of 40% from the field and 37% from deep.
In 80 games (28 starts) last season, Ellis averaged career highs of 8.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.5 steals, and 24.4 minutes per outing while shooting a career-best 48.9% from the floor and 43.3% from beyond the arc.
Per Basketball Reference, Ellis finished fifth in steals (121) last season, fifth in true shooting percentage (66.4%), and 11th in defensive box plus/minus (2.0).
Despite the Lakers’ solid 18-7 start to the season, the team ranks just 20th in defensive efficiency, per NBA.com. L.A. is also the second-best squad in true shooting percentage (61.8%).
Ellis, who turns 26 in January, would give the Lakers an extra boost on both sides of the ball. The team needs an accurate sharpshooter and a reliable defender. The four-year veteran would fit the mold.
