Who Is Untouchable as Kings Eye Trades for Most Players on Roster amid NBA Rumors?

The NBA trade deadline isn't until February, but the Sacramento Kings are reportedly "open for business."

NBA insider Jake Fischer reported as much Sunday, noting the Western Conference team is "willing to listen to offers for players up and down their roster" outside of Keegan Murray and Nique Clifford, who "both will be off the table in upcoming trade talks."

Murray, who was the No. 4 overall pick of the 2022 NBA draft, is 25 years old and figures to be a key part of even a long-term rebuilding effort in Sacramento.

So does Clifford, who was a first-round pick in the 2025 draft and has flashed some of his potential at times as a rookie.

While that leaves Zach LaVine, DeMar DeRozan and Domantas Sabonis as players who could be traded, Fischer reported the Kings "are unlikely to bring back a significant haul" for any of the three veterans.

Sabonis is a double-double threat every time he steps on the floor and is someone who could help a contender, but he is owed approximately $95 million in the upcoming two seasons and is a defensive concern. 

"It's tough to pay a center that much who doesn't protect the rim and doesn't shoot threes—no matter how great of an offensive hub he can be," a Western Conference executive said. 

Fischer also reported Kings governor Vivek Ranadive's affinity for Sabonis could be a contributing factor in the big man not being available for trade. LaVine could be, though, if he bypassed his $48.9 million player player option for next season and was willing to sign a longer-term deal that paid him less money per year.

LaVine and Sabonis may generate the most headlines, but Fischer noted Keon Ellis "appears to hold the most immediate trade value" on the roster. 

Ellis is just 25 years old, but he's playing just 18.1 minutes per game and doesn't seem to be as important a part of the Kings' rebuilding plans. 

He can shoot from the outside (42.9 percent from deep in his career) and defend ball-handlers on the perimeter. While he isn't someone who is going to drastically alter a team's ceiling, he could be a two-way playmaker for a contender looking for backcourt depth down the stretch and into the playoffs.

From Sacramento's perspective, getting anything back of value in a deal would be ideal.

It is 4-13 on the campaign and lost eight in a row prior to Saturday's win over the Denver Nuggets. The 2025-26 campaign is already shaping up to be a lost one, and it is difficult to envision it competing in the daunting Western Conference even next season.

A long-term rebuild is likely the best option, so any type of draft-pick compensation it can get in trades could accelerate that timeline.