According to a new report from NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Boston Celtics are interested in trading for Sacramento Kings guard Keon Ellis before the Feb. 5 deadline.
Ellis is an athletic guard who can provide gritty defense and hit threes, making him an obvious fit for Joe Mazzulla’s system.
Fischer revealed that the Cleveland Cavaliers are trying hard to acquire Ellis, but that other clubs — the Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers included — are also involved.
“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,” Fischer wrote.
“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.”
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Ellis has navigated a transitional 2025-26 season so far. Through 43 games played, the 26-year-old has averaged 5.6 points, 1.3 rebounds, 0.6 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game in 17.6 minutes off the bench or in limited starting roles.
His shooting splits stand at 39.7% from the field and 36.8% from three-point range, with recent January outings showing flashes of impact, such as 14 points against Detroit, 10 against Philadelphia, and 6 with strong defensive contributions against Boston in their latest loss.
This campaign marks a step back from Ellis’s breakout 2024-25 season, where he appeared in 80 games (28 starts) and posted career-high averages of 8.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.5 steals, and 0.8 blocks on efficient 48.9% field goal and 43.3% three-point shooting. That performance cemented his value as a reliable 3-and-D guard.
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Overall in 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 across roughly 19 minutes per contest.
Known for his perimeter defense and hustle, he has built a reputation as a versatile role player.
