Is Sacramento Kings head coach Doug Christie going to make the same mistake as his predecessor? That is to say, he hasn’t stopped being a player’s coach, his messages landing more softly on the tarmac. However, is he failing to properly utilize one of the team’s most impactful players?
Of course, many will say that the preseason is rather inconsequential but that’s not really the case. Though there’s a lot of experimentation in the preseason, especially in the early going, it’s basically a dress rehearsal for the regular season. It’s easy to dismiss what happens in those games because not everything is set in stone (and the games don’t count towards the playoffs). Yet, preseason fluidity is actually evidence of how serious it is. Teams want to go into a regular season knowing what works, what doesn’t and what they need to improve.
Kings HC Doug Christie Now Making Same Mistake As Mike Brown
In the 2025-26 preseason, Keon Ellis has played just 10.7 minutes per contest (three games). He was on the court for just under eight minutes in the Kings’ last two preseason games; matchups against the Portland Trail Blazers (Oct. 10) and Los Angeles Clippers (Oct. 15). To be clear, in the preseason, most key players won’t be on the court as much as they would in the regular season.
For example, Domantas Sabonis (21.2 minutes per game), DeMar DeRozan (25.9 minutes per game) and Zach LaVine (22.8 minutes per game) have seen the court plenty this preseason. Yet, they played +12.0 more on-court minutes on average in the 2024-25 regular season. Maybe this could apply to Ellis, who played 24.4 minutes per game last season, as well.
However, the undrafted four-year pro is in a bit of a different boat.
For one, he’s not considered a star or All-Star player. Secondly, Sacramento’s inability to trade Malik Monk this offseason means that the 2024 Sixth Man of the Year runner-up will be the one backing up LaVine. Bearing that in mind, even with LaVine, Monk and Dennis Schroder in the backcourt, there would’ve been room for Ellis. But that changed when the Kings agreed to sign Russell Westbrook as their backup point guard.
Keon Ellis, Key On-Ball Defender
At 6-foot-6, Ellis does have the length to slot in at forward. Even with smaller stretch-4s becoming commonplace, it may only be at the 3, as he’s 175 pounds. With that being said, he could enter 2025-26 as DeRozan’s primary backup. Yet, Sacramento’s so enthralled by Nique Clifford‘s versatility, that the 6-foot-5 rookie could get the nod instead.
DeRozan’s lack of foot speed and 6-foot-6, 220-pound frame lend themselves to him playing the 4 instead of the 3, which he did frequently in his time with the San Antonio Spurs and Chicago Bulls. With Keegan Murray out for the season opener, it may even behoove the Kings to start DeRozan at power forward. This would then create a scenario where Ellis starts at small forward, replacing Murray in his 3-and-D role.
Rather unsurprisingly, Dario Saric started in place of Murray in Sacramento’s preseason loss to the Clippers. At 6-foot-10, Saric is a career 36.0% 3-point shooter and seasoned, connective passer. Yet, with a first unit that will also have three disreputable defenders in DeRozan, LaVine and Sabonis, Sacramento needs a high-quality perimeter defender in the starting lineup. That’s not what Saric is. Conversely, the defensive end is where Ellis shines brightest, his physical tools and technique enhanced by his tenacity.
Keon Ellis is consistently a top defender in the NBA, yet because he’s on the Sacramento Kings, his skill seems to always go unnoticed.
Here are 13 minutes of his defensive highlights, all of which demonstrate his prowess! pic.twitter.com/Ql5vWK5nEV https://t.co/7SgHmeDabR
— Ethan Minton (@ETrainSports) October 15, 2025
Frankly, Ellis could be even better defending small forwards than guards as he’ll likely have to navigate less screens to get a stop. In a similar vein, DeRozan would have to guard less isos if he’s primarily matched up against power forwards. His rotations and closeouts– or, in short, his basketball IQ and short area burst –would become more important than sheer defensive prowess.
It’s also worth noting that Ellis is more reliable beyond the arc than Saric. The veteran has a very respectable career 3-point percentage but shot 26.9% from 3 last season. A career 42.9% 3-point shooter, Ellis made 43.3% of his 3s in 2024-25.
© Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images
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