The Brooklyn Nets aren’t done reshaping their roster. Just days after landing Julius Randle, they’ve added a defensive-minded guard to the backcourt.
According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, free agent guard Keon Ellis has agreed to a two-year, $18 million guaranteed contract with the Nets. The deal is fully guaranteed, which tells you the team sees him as more than just a training camp flier.
What Ellis Brings to Brooklyn
Ellis spent last season splitting time between the Sacramento Kings and the Cleveland Cavaliers. In Cleveland, he came off the bench for 29 games and put up 8.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.3 steals in about 25 minutes a night. Those numbers don’t jump off the page, but his value isn’t really about stats.
He’s a high-energy defender who can guard multiple positions. The Nets struggled on that end last season, especially in the backcourt, so Ellis fills a real need. He can also hit the occasional three-pointer. His percentage dipped to 36.1% this season, but that’s still respectable, and defenses have to respect him enough to keep from sagging off entirely.
A Backcourt Upgrade on the Cheap?
Brooklyn has been quietly aggressive this offseason. After the Randle trade, it was fair to wonder if they’d address the guard spot next. Ellis isn’t a star, but he’s the kind of role player who fits next to a scoring-heavy lineup. He doesn’t need the ball to be effective, and he’s not afraid to take a hard foul or dive for a loose ball.
The Nets likely saw how he helped the Cavs last spring as a rotational piece who rarely made mistakes. His steal rate is consistently above average, and he’s got the kind of lateral quickness that gives ballhandlers trouble. In a league full of high-usage scorers, having a guy like Ellis who just bothers people all night is a legitimate asset.
It’s also a relatively cheap deal by NBA standards — $9 million a year for a backup guard who can slide into the starting lineup if needed. That’s the kind of contract that ages well if Ellis keeps improving his shot.
What’s Next for the Nets
Brooklyn still has a couple of roster spots open and a little cap room left. The front office has been clear about wanting to compete now, and moves like this suggest they’re not just collecting picks and waiting. They’re trying to build a deep, switchable roster that can handle the regular season grind.
Ellis will likely compete for minutes right away, especially if the team wants to push pace and pressure opponents in the backcourt. He’s 26, durable, and hasn’t peaked yet. For $18 million guaranteed, the Nets are betting he can grow into a more consistent shooter while keeping that defensive edge.
(Charania broke the news Tuesday afternoon on X. The team has not officially confirmed the deal, but the reporting is solid.)
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