Denver’s offseason pivot reshapes its path to dethrone Oklahoma City. Porter Jr. was shipped to Brooklyn for Cameron Johnson, freeing cap space to re-sign Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. Johnson adds shooting punch and length, while Brown and Hardaway Jr. supply secondary scoring and two-way versatility off the bench. The move tightens Denver’s championship window and sharpens its depth ahead of a tougher West race. A hypothetical Kings-Market trade for Keon Ellis underscores Denver’s pursuit of backcourt defense, though Sacramento has shown little interest in parting with Ellis this offseason. All signs point to a Nuggets squad that aims to elevate its bench, keep Jokic and Murray at the center, and push a July thunder toward real contendership.

The discussion centers on how these moves affect Denver’s ceiling and fantasy landscape. Ellis would bring versatile defense to the second unit, pairing with Brown as two multi-positional wings who can guard multiple positions. The 25-year-old Ellis has career-season improvements and shooting efficiency, especially from three, which would help with spacing around Jokic. If the Ellis trade doesn’t materialize, Denver still has a revamped backcourt and a deeper bench, with Johnson’s shooting and Hardaway Jr.’s scoring ensuring that Murray can play off-ball more often. Either way, the Nuggets push toward the throne with a versatile, high-IQ lineup designed to maximize Jokic’s playmaking and sustain pace down the stretch.

Sacramento pressed ahead this offseason, choosing to chase a playoff push rather than a full rebuild. The Kings kept their core—Domantas Sabonis, Zach LaVine, and DeMar DeRozan—intact while adding Dennis Schroder in a sign-and-trade and drafting Nique Clifford and Maxime Raynaud. Rumors swirled around Russell Westbrook and Jonathan Kuminga as potential fits, but the betting market is currently laser-focused on Trae Young landing in Sacramento, with Bovada placing the Kings third in odds to acquire him (+375).

A mock trade even floated a package including DeRozan, Malik Monk, Devin Carter, and two future firsts to Atlanta for Young. Young’s elite shooting and playmaking would dramatically recalibrate the lineup alongside Sabonis and LaVine, addressing the point‑guard void left by Fox’s departure. Yet Sacramento is reluctant to part with Keegan Murray or Keon Ellis, likely forcing Atlanta to demand a chunk of the younger core in any deal. The Kings’ offseason calculus hinges on balancing star power with youth, chemistry, and depth as they position themselves for a real postseason chase next year.

Two former Alabama Crimson Tide basketball players, Keon Ellis and JD Davison, are set to continue their professional careers with contract updates for the 2025-26 NBA season. Ellis, who has been with the Sacramento Kings since going undrafted in 2022, had his team option exercised. After a breakout season, where he averaged 8.3 points and showcased impressive shooting percentages, he is poised to enter free agency next offseason.

On the other hand, JD Davison saw his team option picked up by the Boston Celtics. The former second-round pick has primarily been on a two-way contract, averaging 2.1 points in limited NBA action this past season. However, his standout performance in the G League earned him the MVP title, suggesting potential for a breakout year as he looks to solidify his place within the Celtics' roster.

The Sacramento Kings have reportedly exercised their team option on Keon Ellis, the former Alabama basketball standout, for the upcoming season. This decision, while yet to be confirmed by the franchise, indicates the Kings' commitment to retaining the young guard, who initially joined the team on a two-way contract after the 2022 NBA Draft. Ellis saw an increase in his playing time and production this past season, averaging 8.3 points per game and showcasing his shooting prowess with a near 49% field goal percentage, ranking among the league's top ten in three-point shooting accuracy at 43.3%.

This team option is valued at $2.3 million, a strategic move for the Kings that potentially saves upwards of $10 million in cap space. Moreover, Ellis will become eligible for a contract extension on February 9th, marking an important date for both him and the organization as they look to solidify their roster for the future.

The Golden State Warriors are approaching a pivotal offseason as they seek to bolster their roster surrounding their star trio of Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Draymond Green. With the championship window gradually closing due to aging players, upgrading the roster is paramount for maintaining title contention. One of the primary decisions involves the future of Jonathan Kuminga, a restricted free agent likely to be involved in a sign-and-trade deal.

The guard position is a glaring area of need for the Warriors, especially in terms of adding a backup for Curry to enhance bench depth. A potential target is Keon Ellis from the Sacramento Kings, with a mock trade proposal suggesting the Warriors could acquire Ellis along with K.J. Martin from the Utah Jazz. In exchange, Golden State would send Jaden Springer and future draft picks to Sacramento, while Moses Moody would head to Utah.

Despite the high price, Ellis has showcased his value, averaging 8.3 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 1.5 steals last season, coupled with impressive shooting percentages. His defensive skills and scoring ability could significantly enhance the Warriors' second unit, making this trade an intriguing possibility if Sacramento changes its stance on Ellis.