Tyler Ennis, already a journeyman, might have some consistency for the first time in his career with the Los Angeles Lakers.
If you type in “Tyler Ennis stats” on Google, he’s approximately the seventh hit that pops up in the search. While this may say something about his basketball abilities, don’t count out the 22-year-old just yet.
Despite only playing in the NBA for three years, he’s already on his fourth team. However, for the first time in his career, he’s poised to play two consecutive seasons with the same squad.
After being drafted by the Phoenix Suns with the 18th overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft, he went back and forth between the Suns and the Bakersfield Jam of the D-League. Unfortunately, that stint didn’t last long as he was traded to the Milwaukee Bucks midway through his rookie season as a part of a much larger deal.
Ennis finished out his rookie and sophomore years in Milwaukee, playing sparingly and only appearing in 71 games. The following Summer, he was flipped to the Houston Rockets for Michael Beasley. Almost an exact five months later he was shipped to his current team, the Los Angeles Lakers.
Now, Ramona Shelburne of ESPN reports that Ennis and the Lakers have agreed to a one-year minimum deal with a team option for the second year.
Lakers have agreed to a one-year minimum contract with Tyler Ennis. Team option on Year 2, per league source.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) July 25, 2017
After Houston declined the fourth year of his rookie contract, costing him a chance at $2.7 million this season, he’s forced to settle for the veteran’s minimum for a player with three years of experience. That means he will make $1.5 million for the 2017-18 season.
Ennis will provide much-needed depth in the backcourt for the Lakers. With Lonzo Ball and Jordan Clarkson ahead of him on the depth chart, he’s most likely to only see spot duty. However, all three players can contribute at multiple positions if needed. That gives the Lakers flexibility with their roster to play the right matchups.
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Two seasons ago with the Rockets, the Syracuse product played 20 percent of his time at shooting guard. Last year, Clarkson spent 78 percent of his time at point guard and 14 percent at small forward.
This is great news for Ennis since the D’Angelo Russell trade, as he’s the only other true point besides Ball.
The fourth-year point took a noticeable step forward once he was traded to Los Angeles. He averaged a career-high 15.6 points per 36 minutes and shot 38.9 percent from the three-point line.
In the following play, he demonstrates his improved ability from behind the arc. He makes Shabazz Muhammad pay for going under the screen and hits the three with confidence. What’s more impressive is he’s able to hit the shot off the dribble and still get his rhythm going into the shot.
If he can continue to shoot 38 percent from downtown he’ll turn into a dynamic hooper and a steal on this potential two-year deal.
Next: 2017 NBA free agency tracker - Grades for every deal so far
In the end, this is a low-risk, medium-reward signing for general manager Rob Pelinka. He’s quietly put together an impressive roster in Los Angeles and may have his team fighting for one of the last playoff spots come April.
Grade: B