In a stunning twist that could reshape the Western Conference, the Golden State Warriors are reportedly honing in on Sacramento Kings’ sharpshooting guard Keon Ellis as a key piece in a potential trade involving rising star Jonathan Kuminga. According to recent reports from ESPN’s Shams Charania, the Warriors are willing to go to great lengths to acquire the young 3-and-D specialist, even if it means absorbing Malik Monk’s hefty contract to sweeten the deal.
The buzz around this potential blockbuster stems from Golden State’s ongoing efforts to revamp their roster amid a transitional phase. Kuminga, the athletic forward who has shown flashes of All-Star potential, has been a hot name on the trade block as the Warriors look to balance immediate competitiveness with long-term flexibility. But it’s Ellis—a career 41.3% three-point shooter with elite defensive tools—who has emerged as the “potential sweetener” that could tip the scales.
Charania’s December 15 report highlighted the Warriors’ reluctance to take on long-term salary commitments, noting: “The Warriors refuse to absorb the three years and $60.4 million remaining on Malik Monk’s deal, though league sources said Keon Ellis (on a cheap expiring deal) is a potential sweetener of interest to them.” Ellis, set to hit free agency this summer, represents a low-risk addition for Golden State. At just $2.3 million this season, he offers a four-month audition period, allowing the Warriors to evaluate his fit alongside Stephen Curry and Draymond Green before deciding on his future.
This isn’t the first time Ellis has caught Golden State’s eye. During last summer’s restricted free agency negotiations for Kuminga, the Warriors similarly targeted Ellis or Keegan Murray from the Kings. However, Sacramento’s package—centered on Monk and a 2030 lottery-protected first-round pick—fell short, leading Golden State to re-sign Kuminga to a two-year, $46.8 million deal with a team option for 2026-27. A year later, the script remains similar: the Warriors are prioritizing expiring contracts in any Kuminga swap, as Charania explained, “League sources said the Warriors have been prioritizing expiring contracts in return for Kuminga. They’ve declined the idea of taking back long-term contracts unless they view it as no-brainer positive value. That has been the holdup in conversations with Sacramento.”
The Warriors’ caution is understandable. With Curry, Jimmy Butler III (a recent high-profile addition), and Green’s contracts all expiring in 2027, Golden State is eyeing that offseason as a pivotal reset point. Taking on Monk’s deal—which includes a $21 million player option for 2027-28—could complicate those plans, potentially limiting their ability to chase big-name free agents or execute further trades.
Meanwhile, Ellis’s value extends beyond the Bay Area. The 6-foot-9 wingspan defender, capable of guarding multiple positions, has drawn interest from several teams despite an inconsistent role under new Kings head coach Doug Christie. In four seasons with Sacramento, Ellis has flashed defensive prowess and reliable shooting, making him a “plug-and-play” asset in today’s NBA. One NBA general manager told Heavy Sports’ Sean Deveney last month: “He has not even played that great this season, but he has a couple things going for him that are pushing his market. One, he is plug-and-play. Everybody needs another guy who can knock down shots and defend on the perimeter. Two, he is cheap. He makes ($2.3) million. You can take a guy off the end of your bench, put a couple of second-round picks in the deal and come away with a guy who would be in anyone’s rotation right now.”
Sacramento, aiming to retool around their core, is reportedly seeking a protected first-round pick for Ellis. With a 71% probability of being traded by the February 5 NBA trade deadline according to Polymarket odds, Ellis could be the catalyst for a deal that finally gets Kuminga out of Golden State.
If this trade materializes, it could signal the end of an era for the Warriors’ youth movement, trading Kuminga’s upside for proven perimeter defense and shooting—essentials for a Curry-led contender. For the Kings, landing Kuminga might inject athleticism and scoring punch into their lineup, potentially accelerating their playoff push.
As the trade deadline approaches, all eyes will be on the Bay and Sacramento. Will the Warriors pull the trigger on this shocking pursuit, or will the holdup over long-term contracts derail another round of talks? One thing’s for sure: in the high-stakes world of NBA trades, Keon Ellis’s lethal sniping could be the difference-maker. Stay tuned for updates as this blockbuster brews.