Nets looking for Keon Ellis to bring strong 3-and-D profile

LAS VEGAS — For Keon Ellis, it was about wanting to be where he’s wanted.

Getting to join a Nets team in desperate need of his defense, and reunite with coach Jordi Fernández, was the perfect free agent situation.

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“From what I heard, he was pulling for me really hard,” said Ellis, who played two years in Sacramento when Fernández was the Kings’ associate head coach. “And I know the way he coaches. He’s very passionate. He’s about the right things. He wants to win. So, the familiarity right there was definitely good.”

The Nets and Ellis agreed to a two-year, $18 million contract, with a full mutual option that either side can opt into.

Considering the familiarity between the player and coach, and how the Nets need his 3-and-D profile, it’s hard to see the fit not working out.

“With how much they were offering, that just speaks to how much the team wants you as well. So, that. And then obviously, you’ve got some guys on the staff that you’ve been with before, so you know the ropes a little,” Ellis said. “And then the opportunity here as well. When you combine all those things, they just lined up.”

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Point-of-attack defenders who can actually shoot — prototypical 3-and-D types — are pricey in the NBA, but Ellis may provide some of that archetype.

Per 100 possessions last season — split between the Kings and Cavaliers — Ellis ranked in the 93rd percentile in steals (2.7), in the 95th percentile in blocks (1.5) and the 96th percentile in both turnovers forced (1.6) and deflections (6.4).

His stop percentile of 4.4 ranked in the 98th percentile.

“It’s just about the effort. I go out there and I just try to make it tough on guys,” Ellis said. “You’re playing against the best players in the world. They’re gonna score; they’re gonna get to their spots. You’re gonna have bad defensive games [and] good defensive games. But the mindset of every night trying to do the right things, be in the right spots and just attack the game plan. That’ll help everyone accomplish the goal.

Keon Ellis, who played for the Cavaliers last season, said he feels the…

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Publish date : 2026-07-12 08:39:00

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