Monta Ellis is an eleven year veteran in the NBA out of Lanier High School in Jackson, Mississippi. The Golden State Warriors draft 40th in the second round of the 2005 NBA Draft. The 2005 draft had a lot of talented guys like former Rookie of the Year Chris Paul out of Wake Forest. Other players that were in that draft were Andrew Bogut, Nate Robinson, Deron Williams, David Lee, Raymond Felton, Danny Granger, Andrew Bynum, Gerald Green, CJ Miles, Lou Williams, Marcin Gortat, Rashad McCants, and Jarrett Jack to name a few.
During his rookie season, Ellis averaged 6.8 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.6 assists in a Golden State Warriors uniform. The Warriors would finish fifth in the Pacific Division with a 34-48 record under coach Mike Montgomery. The following year, they would finish as the 8th seed in the Western Conference with a 42-40 record losing in the Conference Semifinals to the Utah Jazz in five games. As for Ellis, he averaged 16.5 points, 4.1 assists, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game. He would also be named the 2006-07 Most Improved Player of the NBA. He would play six more seasons with the Warriors after that and then was traded along with Kwame Brown and Ekpe Udoh to the Milwaukee Bucks for Andrew Bogut and his former teammate Stephen Jackson in 2012.
During his season in half in Milwaukee Monta Ellis averaged 18.4 points, 5.95 assists, 3.7 rebounds per game. After spending time in Milwaukee, Ellis decided to sign a two year deal with the Dallas Mavericks. Ellis spent two seasons with the Mavericks during the 2014 season, they made the playoffs but were eliminated in the first round after game seven with the Spurs. The Spurs would go on to lose in the finals against the Miami Heat in six games.
After the 2014 season with the Mavericks, Ellis would sign a multi-year deal with the Indiana Pacers. Two seasons into the multi-year deal the Pacers decided to waive Ellis. Meaning they would have to pay him still $11.2 million of his remaining salary over the remainder of the contract. The good news is, the team did not have to worry about Ellis’ $11.7 million player option for the 2018-19 season, due to the language in his contract, according to ESPN’s Zach Lowe.
It has been two seasons since Ellis last played and the question on people mind is can he still play. Well, Ellis was recently at Dallas Mavericks game it turns out he still has a home in the area. He looked like he was still in playing shape. The 33-year-old has averaged 17.8 points, 4.6 assists, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.7 steals per game. With those numbers, Ellis could be a key piece for a playoff team someone like the Jazz, Rockets, Thunder, or Pistons, for example, could use Ellis talents at the veteran minimum or bring him in on a ten-day contract to give him a look in a bench role. He can create his own shot and could create for other while players like James Harden and Russell Westbrook are on the bench resting.
About the Author
Landon Buford is an accomplished sports and entertainment journalist based in Richardson, Texas, with over a decade of experience covering the NBA, WNBA, NFL, WWE, MLB, and the entertainment industry. Known for delivering high-impact stories and headline-making interviews, Buford has earned a global audience through content that blends insider access with compelling storytelling.
He previously served as director of editorial and brand communications at PlayersTV, where he helped shape the platform’s editorial voice and brand identity. He is also the founder and editor-in-chief of LandonBuford.com—an independent outlet with more than 1.6 million views and syndication from major platforms including Bleacher Report, Sports Illustrated and Yahoo Sports. Buford’s interviews with stars like Gary Payton, Kevin Durant, Mark Cuban and Chris Paul showcase his talent for meaningful, in-depth conversations.
His bylines have appeared in Sports Illustrated, Forbes, Heavy.com, Meta’s Bulletin and One37pm, where he has contributed exclusive interviews, breaking news and cultural insights. At Heavy.com, his work drew more than a million views in just eight months, and at One37pm, it contributed to record-breaking traffic numbers.
His work highlights the intersection of sports, fashion, music, and entrepreneurship—showcasing how athletes and entertainers use their platforms to inspire change, influence trends, and shape culture beyond the game. Landon has interviewed a wide range of figures from the NBA, NFL, and entertainment industries, consistently bringing authentic voices and untold stories to the forefront.
In addition to his journalism, Buford is an entrepreneur and content creator, dedicated to amplifying diverse narratives and driving meaningful conversations across media platforms. His passion for storytelling, culture, and innovation continues to make him a respected voice in the evolving landscape of sports and entertainment media.
