LUKA DONCIC AND KEON ELLIS COULD BELA LAKERS BACKCOURT OF THE FUTURE!Unless you've actually watched Kings shooting guard Keon Ellis play, you're probably already think that it's an insane idea to consider trading fan favorite Austin Reaves for him and another young Sacramento… https://t.co/VgSC7Z3FoS pic.twitter.com/dz86zPgWf5— LakerTom (@LakerTom) June 8, 2025
Really don’t understand your disrespect for Rui. Murray isn’t as good on either side of the ball as Rui. And he is a combo forward like Rui. Not a true wing. He is not even close to Rui on offense. He shot 35% and 34% from 3 the last two years and doesn’t have the strength inside to post up like Rui. No way he would start over Rui.
Keegan is just filler to make the trade work although he could be a replacement for Rui, whose expiring contract is likely to be traded for a center if not this summer before the deadline.
Problem right now is Rui is a power forward playing small forward so LeBron can play and guard power forwards. What Lakers need is a forward who can still guard 3’s and bigger 2’s who can shoot threes. That could be Keegan Murray if we trade Rui.
The target of the trade is Keon Ellis who is now Sacramento’s starting point guard even though he is not a playmaker. Instead, he’s an alpha dog defender and lethal catch-and-shoot 3-point specialist we need to pair with Luka Doncic.
I also don’t see them trading Ellis. The Kings have one of the worst defenses in the league. Why would they trade Ellis for another offensive player when they already have Derozen and LaVine that aren’t good defenders. By the way Ellis was their representative at the Lottery drawing so they obviously think highly of him.
Kings do not have a starting point guard, which is why Ellis starts. Ownership needs to bringing in star players. An opportunity to land Reaves would be too good to pass up imo. Frankly, I would do the trade without the picks because I think Ellis w/b perfect fit with Luka for the next decade. He checks all the boxes. Great POA and 40% 3P%.
Please don’t always assume that I only want to trade guys I don’t like. I’ve always liked Rui and Austin but the truth is neither is a plus defender or likely to become one. What I am trying to do is move our 1-way players for 2-way players. You can argue all you want that Rui and Austin are 2-way players but we will have to A2D. OK?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-qtuBN-x_M
Ellis is an elite point-of-attack defender. This is an excellent video that breaks down his defense and offense. He is what we need instead of Austin Reaves next to Luka Doncic.
This trade might work for you Tom but not for the Kings. Like us they need defense on the perimeter. They have plenty of scoring.
I’m not arguing that Austin is a two way player. As for Rui JJ seems to think he is. As for Murray he is a poor man’s Rui.
LMAO. They don’t have a starting point guard, Michael. Reaves would be perfect fit for them.