The Milwaukee Bucks were heavily rumored to be interested in adding Keon Ellis to their backcourt this season as part of a potential trade with the Sacramento Kings, per HoopsHype insider Michael Scotto. However, Milwaukee has been vindicated for not pulling off the deal, as Ellis has struggled to make a serious impact for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the playoffs.
Keon Ellis supporting Bucks decision to pass on deal
For several seasons, Zach LaVine was a target for the Bucks to bring in as a scorer who could help push them towards their title aspirations. Many wanted Ellis as part of the deal. One of the biggest talking points was that he wasn't playing more minutes in Sacramento, as when he did play, he seemed to be impactful.
That has continued in Cleveland, with him averaging 10.8 minutes per game and failing to see the court in three games against the Toronto Raptors.
In that time on the floor, Ellis is averaging just 1.2 points, while shooting 20 percent from the field and 22.2 percent from 3-point range.
Another factor in it looking like a good decision from the Bucks to pass is that he is a free agent this summer. It would be a risk to take him on and potentially lose him, especially if the Bucks had still gone on to miss the postseason, Ellis could easily have looked to go elsewhere.
That deal could have also included LaVine or Malik Monk, so the Bucks may have been paying up even more in the long and short term.
Milwaukee could go back in for Ellis in the summer should they wish
If the Bucks do feel like there is still potential there, they can give him an offer and look to bring him in for cheap this summer. Kenny Atkinson did play him quite regularly following his trade to the Cavs, averaging 24.8 minutes per game in regular season outings, but he clearly didn't see enough to feel he could be a big piece in the postseason.
In those regular season games with Cleveland, he averaged 8.3 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.3 steals on shooting splits of .491/.355/.816.
One of the biggest draws with Ellis is his defense and what he brings without the ball as a guard. He isn't going to fill up the stat sheet with points and assists, but he can come in and be impactful defensively. That raises questions about why Atkinson hasn't gone to him more this postseason, unless he feels Ellis would be overpowered by Cade Cunningham or the plethora of wings the Raptors have.
At 26, there is still room for Ellis to improve, and he is more than capable of being of use to a team off the bench. Just his lack of postseason time so far perhaps shows there are limitations that teams will have to deal with should they progress to the playoffs with him on the roster.
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