Story byToran FloresFri, January 9, 2026 at 8:45 PM UTC·2 min readKnicks linked to Kings' 3-and-D wing in trade rumors originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here. The New York Knicks were able to get back into the win column after losing four straight games, beating the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night, but there are still shining flaws that have resulted in the team going through an unfamiliar stretch of bad games. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDefense has been the most notable subject for first-year head coach Mike Brown. New York has tried different ways to fix it, from switching to zone defenses to having to pivot with other players due to recent injuries to Josh Hart and Landry Shamet. So what exactly could the Knicks do before the trade deadline to help improve the team's perimeter defense?Reports have suggested that a struggling 3-and-D wing with the Sacramento Kings could help find a solution. Kings' Keon Ellis labeled as potential trade suitor for KnicksKeon Ellis, 26, has struggled to put together a successful season in 2025-26, but that goes for the entire Sacramento Kings team as they are currently in the second-to-last spot in the Western Conference with an 8-29 record. AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAfter averaging 8.3 points and 1.5 steals in 24.4 minutes per game last season, Ellis' numbers have deflated to averaging 5.7 points and 1.2 steals over just 17.9 minutes a game this season. A change in scenery could be in the works."The 6-foot-4 guard is skinny but plays with great energy defensively and has good hand-eye coordination.