Lakers and Kings negotiate Ellis trade! Kings demand at least one first-round pick, Lakers willing to include Knecht

On January 7th Beijing time, according to renowned reporter Sidery, the Lakers have recently engaged in talks with the Kings regarding Keon Ellis. The Kings are seeking at least one first-round pick in exchange for Ellis, who is regarded as an above-average 3-and-D guard. The Lakers are open to including Knecht in the deal, but currently only have a tradable first-round pick in 2031.

US media analysis points out that the current Lakers lineup still suffers from a lack of shooting firepower. With ball-dominant stars like LeBron James, Luka Dončić, and Austin Reaves, spacing the floor is the team's top priority. Keon Ellis is seen as an ideal candidate to strengthen the team's capabilities.

Previously, ESPN data analyst Pelton recommended the Lakers acquire Ellis. He wrote: "If I were running the Lakers’ front office, I would call the Kings every day to explore a trade for guard Keon Ellis. Last season, he averaged 24.4 minutes per game, but this season, due to the crowded Kings backcourt under Coach Christie, his playing time has been inconsistent. Ellis boasts a career three-point shooting percentage of 41.6% and is also skilled in on-ball defense. Perhaps most importantly, he is in the final year of his rookie contract, earning the league minimum. Signing Ellis would easily fit the Lakers’ current salary structure—allowing the team to use other expiring contracts to strengthen the frontcourt—and his low reserved salary would maximize the team’s financial flexibility for this summer’s moves.”

As one of the league’s most underrated 3-and-D players, it’s puzzling that the Kings have not provided Ellis with consistent playing time. However, the Lakers are very willing to take on this player. So far this season, Ellis has played 34 games, averaging 5.7 points, 1.4 rebounds, 0.6 assists, and 1.2 steals per game. Knecht has appeared in 28 games, averaging 5.4 points, 1.8 rebounds, 0.4 assists, and 0.3 steals per game.