The Sacramento Kings have had an open roster spot for a while but remained silent leading up to the NBA Trade Deadline. However, after the trade deadline, they signed Keon Ellis to a three-year contract to fill the open spot, per Wojnarowski.
Ellis previously held a two-way contract with both the Sacramento Kings and their G-League team, the Stockton Kings. This contract restricted him to playing only 50 games, a limit he was close to reaching. With the three-year contract signed, he can now play without any hurdles ahead.
A Closer Look At Keon Ellis
Keon Ellis is a shooting guard who played for Alabama and went undrafted in the 2022-2023 NBA Draft. Leading up to the draft, he was noted for his shooting ability, athleticism, and potential as a versatile defender (source: 2022 NBA Draft Profile).
Over the past two NBA seasons, he has developed his skills and earned his recent contract. This season, while playing for the Stockton Kings, Keon averaged 16.8 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.4 assists while shooting 44.4% from 3-point range, per G-League stats. In his games with the Sacramento Kings, he has averaged 11.0 minutes, 3.8 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 1.2 assists while shooting 37.7% from 3-point range (source: NBA Stats).
Keon Wills On The Defensive End
On the defensive side of the floor, Keon Ellis is averaging 0.5 steals and 0.4 blocks. This indicates a solid performance in both blocks and steals per game, especially considering he is only averaging 11.0 minutes per game. According to statmuse.com, Ellis’s DRtg (Defensive Rating) is 116.5. DRtg measures the amount of points a player allows per 100 possessions. A DRtg of 116.5 is not the best, but it is most definitely not the worst.
To give some context, Rudy Gobert has the best DRtg in the NBA right now with a DRtg of 104.6. Brandon Miller has the worst DRtg in the NBA with a DRtg of 123.6. Based on that, Ellis is a bit closer to the worst DRtg rating than the best. However, it’s possible to see Elli’s DRtg get better as he gets more minutes with a secure spot on the roster.
Overall, Keon Ellis is showing up on the defensive end of the floor. He also has the potential to enhance his overall defensive presence as he continues to develop.
How Does Keon Ellis Fit In Sacramento’s System?
The Sacramento Kings currently rank 3rd in the NBA for the highest pace per game played by a team this season, according to statmuse.com. A team’s pace per game refers to the number of possessions a team has per game. A higher pace per game usually indicates a team that prioritizes aggressive and fast offense and defense, resulting in more possessions. Ellis is a fast player that fits well with a fast pace system.
It also helps that this aggressive and fast-paced team is led by De’Aaron Fox, one the fastest players in the NBA. With that being said, De’Aaron Fox and the fast pace of the Kings should mesh well together with the speed and athleticism of Keon Ellis. Overall, Keon’s long-term addition to the team, with his own rapid pace, should help enhance the Sacramento Kings’ fast-paced system.
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