NBA Rumors: The interesting trade that Indiana Pacers and Sacramento Kings could make

Indiana Pacers and Sacramento Kings have engaged in market conversations where the focal point is Keon Ellis. The Sacramento shooting guard, an undrafted defensive specialist, has sparked interest from various NBA franchises, with the Pacers being one of the teams showing a clearer attention to his situation.

Ellis has experienced a season marked by instability in his usage within the Kings rotation. His minutes have fluctuated significantly, going from playing 24 minutes in one game to just eight in the next, or from 14 one night to nearly 30 the following day. Overall, his court presence has dropped by more than seven minutes per game compared to last season, where he established himself as an important piece, now averaging 17.6 minutes per night.

Despite this decrease, rival front offices continue to value what Ellis brings, especially on the defensive end, making him one of the more realistic names in the winter market.

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Jarace Walker Enters the Conversation

Within the discussions with Indiana, another significant name has emerged: Jarace Walker. As explained by Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the Pacers were one of the teams that showed interest in Ellis and during those contacts, Walker was also mentioned. However, it hasn't been revealed which franchise put his name on the table. Walker was drafted by Indiana with the 8th pick and has been playing an important role this season, averaging over 25 minutes per game.

Like Ellis, Walker stands out for his defensive level. His physique—6'7" and 235 pounds—and versatility allow him to match up against players in nearly every position, from one to five. Offensively, his game is still in development, although this season, his three-point shooting accuracy has dropped to 32%.

All signs point to the Kings being the ones who brought up Walker's name, as Indiana doesn't seem particularly willing to part ways with him. Additionally, the contract situation also weighs in: Walker is guaranteed $8.48 million for the 2026-27 season, while Ellis will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1st. For now, the discussions are exploratory, but mutual interest confirms that Keon Ellis has become one of the most sought-after defensive profiles in the market.