Spurs can pull off yet another Kings trade heist by targeting a hidden gem

San Antonio Spurs fans won't have to wait long to see whether the Silver and Black will make a big move at the trade deadline. They could use another defender as well as more shooting, and they may be in luck with one player fitting both needs.

Sacramento Kings guard Keon Ellis has generated interest on the trade market and could be a valuable trade target for the Spurs. Ellis is one of the league's best 3-and-D guards, with him being a tenacious defender and a career 41.4% 3-point shooter.

That should be music to Spurs fans' ears, considering they could use another perimeter defender and someone who can knock down open threes. While he might cost the Spurs multiple seconds, his salary is small enough to easily acquire him without trading a rotation player

The Spurs must steal Keon Ellis from the Sacramento Kings

Ellis might not be able to defend big wings, but having another defensive pest in the backcourt wouldn't hurt. Particularly in the Western Conference with players such as Steph Curry, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Anthony Edwards, Jamal Murray, James Harden, and Devin Booker.

Having another guard to throw at those players aside from Castle—particularly when he gets into foul trouble—would be valuable and hopefully help to slow down those stars. The Spurs obviously have the guard trio of De'Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, and Dylan Harper, but they would still have minutes for a fourth guard in Ellis.

Better still, him being able to knock down open threes means that the Spurs can mix and match with him and the other three guards without sacrificing spacing. Even so, he might be limited to only around 15 minutes per game.

Especially in the playoffs, filling those minutes with a competent player is key. Castle and Harper have yet to play a single minute in the playoffs, while Fox has only appeared in seven games.

Therefore, San Antonio shouldn't bank on all three being able to deliver in the playoffs, and having options makes plenty of sense. It also doesn't hurt that he plays for the Kings.

Keon Ellis could give the Spurs much-needed depth

The Spurs would be returning to the scene of two recent trade heists if they were able to acquire Ellis without giving up a first.

The Spurs got Harrison Barnes and a 2031 pick swap for renting out their cap space. They then got Fox for surprisingly little months later. If I were the Kings, I'd have a restraining order against the Spurs, or at least block their number.

But perhaps they don't see those moves as being that bad and may be willing to trade with San Antonio again. At least, that is what fans should hope for.

How ironic would it be if the Spurs made a deep playoff run after having made three trades with the Kings and raiding their roster for talent? Let's hope that happens since Ellis could be the perfect cheap addition for the Spurs if they can land him before the trade deadline.