Brooklyn Nets guard Keon Ellis is officially heading into his fifth NBA season, and for the first time, he’s got a two-year, $18 million deal to back him up with a *huge* opportunity on the new-look Nets roster. This isn’t just another contract, folks, it’s a statement about what Brooklyn head coach Jordi Fernandez sees in the guy, especially when it comes to getting more involved on offense.
The New Role and Coach Fernandez’s Big Bet
The Nets scooped up Ellis because he’s a legit point-of-attack defender. You know, the kind of guy who gets in your face and makes life miserable. But here’s the kicker: they’re also giving him a shot to affect the offense in a way he hasn’t before in his career. Ellis himself knows what’s up, saying, “I think when you’re starting, the ball does just find you more. Obviously, the opportunity is there [in Brooklyn] a little bit more as well.” This isn’t about running plays specifically for him, not yet anyway, but about that natural flow when you’re on the floor from tip-off. He put it perfectly: “I just think the the opportunity is there. It’s been there at times in my career, too. So, we’ll see what it looks like this year in the season. In the preseason, obviously, starting all games, the opportunity is just there. So, I just got to take advantage.” That’s the mindset you wanna see.
From Undrafted to an $18 Million Chance
Ellis, who’s 26, went undrafted back in the 2022 NBA Draft after playing four years in college at Alabama. He started his journey with the Sacramento Kings, and his real breakout season was 2024-25, where he averaged a solid 8.3 points and 1.5 steals per game, shooting an impressive 48.9% from the field and a blazing 43.3% from deep. Last season, 2025-26, he split time between the Kings and the Cleveland Cavaliers, putting up 6.7 points, 1.9 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game on 44.0% shooting from the floor and 36.3% from three. He actually saw more minutes with the Cavs, averaging 24.8 in 29 games, but then they kinda iced him out when the playoffs hit and they needed production. Now, this offseason, he’s landed in Brooklyn with that sweet two-year, $18 million deal, with the second year being a mutual option.
Ellis looks like he’s gonna be showing what he can do on both ends of the floor right from the jump. This is his shot, big time. Can he turn this massive opportunity into a consistent role and prove that $18 million was a steal for Brooklyn? You know we’re all gonna be watching closely as the season kicks off.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply