Kings HC Mike Brown Hints on Keon Ellis's Future in Starting Lineup
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The Sacramento Kings picked up two significant wins in the last two days, winning a back-to-back home series against the star-studded Milwaukee Bucks and Los Angeles Lakers. The Kings prevailed in these pivotal matchups, even though they were down a starter in each game.
Against the Bucks, the Kings were without standout sophomore Keegan Murray, and sharpshooter Kevin Huerter was sidelined against the Lakers. Who stepped up in the starting lineup each game? Keon Ellis.
Time and time again, the Kings turn to Ellis when a starter is injured, and it always seems to work out. The Kings are 6-0 this season when Ellis is starting, as the 24-year-old guard averaged 6.2 points, 3.0 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and an impressive 2.3 steals per game in those six starts.
While Ellis is not the most impactful player on offense, the young guard showed glimpses of an offensive bag in Wednesday's win over the Lakers, finishing with 14 points on 3-5 shooting from deep. Ellis makes most of his impact on the defensive end, where the Kings have desperately needed help.
The question remains, if Ellis is so impactful, why does he not always start? The more interesting question is how Ellis logged a DNP in 22 games this year. Why was Ellis rotting on the bench for a quarter of the season? Mike Brown has finally realized how effective Ellis is in the lineup, but grouping him with the starters full-time is still far away.
When asked about whether Ellis will start the remainder of the regular season, Brown says he will decide based on feeling (via @James_HamNBA):
"There's a lot that goes into [deciding whether to start Ellis]. It comes down to feel. Kevin [Huerter] gives us a lot too, and does it make us better with Kevin, Keegan [Murray], or [Harrison Barnes] coming off the bench, just to start Keon? I don't know. I don't have that feel yet. ...You've got Malik [Monk], Keon, Davion [Mitchell] coming off the bench, and it just adds to what is already a very, very good bench."
Whether Ellis starts or comes off the bench, he needs to be in the lineup. In his six starts, Ellis has meshed greatly with the starting group. Many Sacramento fans want Brown to start Ellis over Huerter, who is having his worst statistical season since his rookie year.
Come playoffs time, Brown will have to make the tough decisions, and that decision might end up being to start Ellis over Huerter.
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