The Portland Trail Blazers have interest in trading for Sacramento Kings guard Keon Ellis, according to Sean Deveney of Heavy.com. The Blazers are one of many teams soliciting Ellis’ services. The New York Knicks, Orlando Magic, Los Angeles Lakers, and Miami Heat have also indicated desire for the fourth-year wing, Deveney reported.
Despite a poor performance to start the season, the 6-foot-4 Ellis remains a career 42% three-point shooter on over three attempts per game, and he’s still known as a disruptive
perimeter defender. NBA teams are banking on that offensive production reemerging. His decline, though, may limit the amount of capital the Blazers, or other interested parties, are required to spend. Right now, Deveney puts that capital in the ballpark of outgoing salary plus a few second-round picks.
Ellis is in the final year of a three-year, $5.1 million contract with the Kings. If the Blazers were to acquire Ellis, there remains the possibility that he walks in unrestricted free agency. However, Deveney explained how that expiring contract isn’t the usual deterrent toward a possible deal.
But because his salary is so small and because his Bird rights would come in a deal, a team can trade for him and plan to re-sign him next summer without eating into their cap space.
In the immediate-term, Ellis represents an upgrade for the Blazers’ injury-ravaged backcourt and acquiring him would not require the Blazers to enter the luxury tax (assuming the trade includes outgoing salary exceeding $700,000).
In four seasons, Ellis has averaged 6.3 points, 1.2 steals, and 2.1 rebounds in 19 minutes per game.
