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With the Mikel Brown Jr. era set to begin, the Brooklyn Nets' front office needs to start supplementing the roster with backcourt pieces to play alongside the Louisville standout freshman.
While Brown can certainly fill it up with the best of them, his defense may be a work in progress.
Enter former Sacramento Kings guard Keon Ellis, who is exactly the type of player who could fit alongside Brown, or serve as a defensive stopper off the bench.
NBA correspondent Marc Stein identified Brooklyn as a potential suitor for the former undrafted free agent out of Alabama, noting his relationship with Nets head coach Jordi Fernández.
"One anticipated landing spot for Ellis is Brooklyn, where the defensive-minded guard could reunite with Nets coach Jordi Fernández, who was an assistant in Sacramento during Ellis' Kings tenure," Stein wrote.
Ellis played 48 games for the Kings last season before being traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers prior to the deadline.
In Cleveland, Ellis played seven minutes more per game, increasing all his scoring, rebounding and assist numbers while shooting nearly 10 percentage points higher than he did with the Kings.
Ellis has also taken on a large role defensively, averaging 1.4 steals and 1.1 blocks per game.
Throughout his NBA career, Ellis has always been on a team-friendly contract, playing for around the veteran minimum.
As a career 40.7-percent 3-point shooter, Ellis' spacing would be a benefit to Brown and Egor Demin, who like to get downhill and find perimeter shooters for kick-outs.
Ellis' familiarity with Fernández would also bode well for him, as the Nets have shown patience and confidence that he is the head coach to turn things around for the franchise.
Although Ellis had limited appearances in the Cavs' run to the Eastern Conference Finals, he had many strong showings towards the end of the regular season.
In the months of March and April, Ellis eclipsed 13 or more points on seven occasions, including a 19-point output against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Ellis made 3-of-5 attempts from distance, while shooting at over 60-percent from the field.
The 6-foot-4 combo guard also had his best playmaking game of the season, recording eight dimes and zero turnovers.
If Ellis can continue to knock down 3-point shots and develop his passing ability, he becomes a very intriguing option for General Manager Sean Marks to look into.
Ellis would battle with rookie guards Drake Powell and Nolan Traore for secondary ball handler minutes off of Brooklyn's bench.
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While Brown can certainly fill it up with the best of them, his defense may be a work in progress.
Enter former Sacramento Kings guard Keon Ellis, who is exactly the type of player who could fit alongside Brown, or serve as a defensive stopper off the bench.
NBA correspondent Marc Stein identified Brooklyn as a potential suitor for the former undrafted free agent out of Alabama, noting his relationship with Nets head coach Jordi Fernández.
"One anticipated landing spot for Ellis is Brooklyn, where the defensive-minded guard could reunite with Nets coach Jordi Fernández, who was an assistant in Sacramento during Ellis' Kings tenure," Stein wrote.
Ellis played 48 games for the Kings last season before being traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers prior to the deadline.
In Cleveland, Ellis played seven minutes more per game, increasing all his scoring, rebounding and assist numbers while shooting nearly 10 percentage points higher than he did with the Kings.
Ellis has also taken on a large role defensively, averaging 1.4 steals and 1.1 blocks per game.
Throughout his NBA career, Ellis has always been on a team-friendly contract, playing for around the veteran minimum.
As a career 40.7-percent 3-point shooter, Ellis' spacing would be a benefit to Brown and Egor Demin, who like to get downhill and find perimeter shooters for kick-outs.
Ellis' familiarity with Fernández would also bode well for him, as the Nets have shown patience and confidence that he is the head coach to turn things around for the franchise.
Although Ellis had limited appearances in the Cavs' run to the Eastern Conference Finals, he had many strong showings towards the end of the regular season.
In the months of March and April, Ellis eclipsed 13 or more points on seven occasions, including a 19-point output against the Memphis Grizzlies.
Ellis made 3-of-5 attempts from distance, while shooting at over 60-percent from the field.
The 6-foot-4 combo guard also had his best playmaking game of the season, recording eight dimes and zero turnovers.
If Ellis can continue to knock down 3-point shots and develop his passing ability, he becomes a very intriguing option for General Manager Sean Marks to look into.
Ellis would battle with rookie guards Drake Powell and Nolan Traore for secondary ball handler minutes off of Brooklyn's bench.
Join the Community
Don't miss out on our ROUNDTABLE community and the latest news!
It's completely free to join, simply by clicking the yellow button at the top of the homepage. Share your thoughts, engage with our Roundtable writers, and chat with fellow members.
Continue reading...
