The Oklahoma City Thunder’s championship was the product of years of smart team-building—elite draft selections, absolutely nailing the head-coaching hire, and, of course, a franchise-altering trade for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, one that will go down as among the best in the league’s history. Even so, they fell short in 2024 against a Dallas Mavericks team that wasn’t especially menacing—particularly with a visibly hampered Luka Doncic. It was a series that delivered a harsh reality check to the up-and-coming Thunder, brutally exposing the limitations of several of their rotation players.
This set the stage for what may prove to be one of Sam Presti’s greatest front office moves. In a moment of clear-eyed pragmatism, the Thunder recognized that a breakthrough wouldn’t come from another draft pick or by merely banking on internal development. It demanded an opportunistic—and difficult—decision to part with one of their young talents. They traded Josh Giddey—whose offensive flaws the Mavericks ruthlessly exposed the year before—for Alex Caruso. The upgrade proved transformative, as the veteran frequently emerged as the Thunder’s second-best player during their championship run. Every contender, including the Denver Nuggets, will hope to make an acquisition similar to the Alex Caruso trade—and there might just be a player available on the market who fits that profile.
Can the Nuggets Find Their Own Alex Caruso?
The Denver Nuggets understand this dynamic all too well. The Aaron Gordon trade marked the moment they truly became a championship contender, and later additions like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Bruce Brown, and Jeff Green proved pivotal in delivering their first title in franchise history. This offseason, Denver added depth and turned Michael Porter Jr. into Cameron Johnson, but they’re still missing the kind of game-changing role player that Alex Caruso became for the Thunder.
The most glaring hole remains the backup point guard spot, which has never been adequately addressed since Russell Westbrook‘s non-renewal. Entrusting that role to Bruce Brown, or handing the keys to unproven young guards like Julian Strawther or Jalen Pickett, feels too risky for a team with championship ambitions. That’s why the potential acquisition of Keon Ellis from the Sacramento Kings could be so impactful—so much so that it might mirror the way Caruso transformed the Thunder just a year ago.
Keon Ellis = Caruso 2.0
The parallels between Keon Ellis and Alex Caruso are remarkable. Like Caruso, Ellis took an unconventional path to NBA success, entering the league as an undrafted player who had to prove himself in the G League before earning his opportunity with the Sacramento Kings. Still seeking his first major contract, Ellis saw the Kings unexpectedly exercise his $2.3 million team option instead of giving him an extension. That decision postponed his payday, keeping him at an easily tradable salary and risking friction with Sacramento’s front office. As a result, contenders like Denver would be wise to keep a close eye on the situation.
The similarities carry over onto the floor as well. Both possess similar physical profiles—lengthy, athletic guards who combine a tireless defensive motor with an elite ability to create turnovers. Their defensive IQ makes them not only strong communicators and vocal leaders on that end of the floor, but also versatile enough to handle unfavorable matchups—including guarding bigger players effectively. Offensively, both have limitations but can still contribute in key ways—Caruso is the superior playmaker, while Ellis has shown the ability to be a lethal shooter. They showcase their strong understanding of the game by making smart offensive plays, which would stand out even more alongside Nikola Jokic.
Take Advantage of the Kings Doing Kings Things
The Kings’ addition of Dennis Schröder on a three-year, $45 million deal—especially with Malik Monk and Zach LaVine already ahead of him in the rotation—further clouds Keon Ellis’s future, potentially forcing him into a smaller role on a team that isn’t even guaranteed a playoff berth and in a year where he is playing for his first big NBA contract. Doug Christie’s confidence in him also seems questionable; in games like the March 9th matchup against the Clippers, Christie turned to Jake LaRavia over Ellis as the preferred defensive option on James Harden down the stretch.
Ellis would immediately fill a pressing need as Denver’s backup point guard while giving him a larger role on a championship-caliber roster—a platform that could help him secure a bigger payday down the road. The Nuggets have already shown how this formula can pay off financially for players: just ask Bruce Brown and Jeff Green.
If the price is reasonable, even one year of Ellis could be worth it for the Nuggets. A package built around a young piece like Peyton Watson might intrigue Sacramento, paralleling the recent Alex Caruso trade. If Denver truly wants its own “Alex Caruso” to elevate them in the postseason, Keon Ellis might be the answer.
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