2018 NBA free agency tracker: Grades for every deal so far
James Ennis: 2 years, $3.5 million (Houston Rockets)
After letting Trevor Ariza and Luc Mbah a Moute walk in free agency, the general attitude toward the Houston Rockets has been, “Hopefully Daryl Morey knows something we don’t.” For better or worse, the Rockets need James Ennis to be that something.
With two defensive aces out the door, Ennis is a terrific, low-cost addition to a team that suddenly finds itself alarmingly short on wing defense. At 6’7″, Ennis will be in consideration for the starting role thanks to his prowess on that end of the floor.
However, his 3-point shooting will have to be more reliable on a team that jacks them up at a historic rate. Ennis is only a career 35.9 percent shooter from distance, which is good, but not great. Last season in 72 games between the Grizzlies and Pistons, Ennis averaged 7.1 points and 3.1 rebounds per game on .474/.333/.836 shooting splits. Suffice it to say he’s not Ariza or Mbah a Moute, but hopefully he can plug one of the many holes in Morey’s ship.
Bourguet Grade: B-
Hoops Habit Grade: B-