NBA insider Marc Stein recently revealed that the Lakers “would naturally like to be in the 3-and-D market.” That makes perfect sense when you look at their roster. The team desperately needs help on the perimeter.
They especially need someone who can knock down threes and play solid defense. They had their eyes on a specific player who seemed like the perfect fit. But things haven’t gone according to plan, as that target has hit a major roadblock.
The Lakers Face a Major Problem in Acquiring a Player
According to a recent report from NBA Insider Brett Siegel for ClutchPoints, the Lakers have run into serious trouble trying to acquire Sacramento Kings guard Keon Ellis.
“Los Angeles has long been targeting Ellis during this season’s trade cycle, and the two teams spoke this past week again regarding the possibility of a trade, sources said. But the major roadblock in talks between the Lakers and Kings, other than Sacramento appearing to want a future swap from Los Angeles for Ellis, is that Sacramento also wants to attach Ellis’ contract with one of their veteran’s long-term deals,” Siegel wrote in his report.
Ellis entered the NBA in 2022 after going undrafted in the 2022 NBA Draft. He eventually signed a two-way contract with the Kings. He made his NBA debut in November of that year, and in 2024, Sacramento converted his contract and signed him to a three-year, $5,105,710 deal with $2,804,123 guaranteed.
During the 2025–26 season, Ellis is set to earn $2,301,587. This makes him a very affordable option for cap-conscious teams like the Lakers.
On the court, Ellis has been productive in limited minutes, averaging 5.6 points, 1.3 rebounds, 0.6 assists, 1.1 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game while shooting 36.8% from three-point range in 17.6 minutes for Sacramento.
If Ellis were to land in Los Angeles, his presence would likely benefit LeBron James the most. With Ellis handling challenging perimeter assignments and knocking down open shots, James could conserve energy. Then the King would be able to operate more comfortably on offense and face fewer defensive breakdowns around him.
But here’s where things get complicated for the Lakers. They’re not the only team interested in Ellis, as NBA insider Jake Fischer recently shared that the Cleveland Cavaliers, San Antonio Spurs, and Boston Celtics are also looking to acquire the player.
“While the last 48 hours have certainly felt like Cleveland is in the driver’s seat for Keon Ellis, the Lakers, Spurs, and Celtics are among other playoff teams still looking to add the Kings guard, sources say,” Fischer wrote on X.
That’s some serious competition, and it makes the Lakers’ job even harder. For now, what ultimately happens remains to be seen.
