The Los Angeles Lakers acquired Tyler Ennis from the Houston Rockets on Feb. 23 for Marcelo Huertas. Ennis did not play a lot when he first joined the Lakers, but saw his minutes increase down the home stretch of the regular season. In the last five games, Ennis is averaging 27.4 minutes, 11.8 points, 3.4 assists and 1.2 rebounds.
"When I got here they told me I was going to have a chance to go out and play," Ennis told the Los Angeles Times. "I know it wasn’t going to be given to me with all the guards and the young players that were here. So I just tried to come out and show what I could do."
Ennis, the No. 18 selection in the 2014 NBA draft, is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, since the Rockets declined their fourth-year team option as part of his rookie-scale contract. There is a chance the Lakers will look to bring back Ennis next season, but that decision could be tied to the lottery. If the Lakers keep their pick (Nos. 1-3) they will probably select a guard, and at that point Ennis likely won't receive an offer, unless either Jordan Clarkson or D'Angelo Russell is traded.
When discussing the one-time Syracuse point guard, coach Luke Walton said Ennis will need to become a better shooter.
"The way he’s been shooting the ball is gonna be the key to how far he makes it in this league," Walton said. "He’s got a great feel for being a point guard, getting into the lane, making an extra pass, finishing around the rim, playing defense. All those things he does well enough. Especially for his age. If he can shoot the ball the way he has been the last couple games, if he can consistently be a threat from out there, he’s going to be a very good player in this league."
Since Ennis' fourth-year team option was declined, league rules mandate that the Lakers can, at most, pay him $2.66 million next season, which is the amount of the option.
In 21 appearances with the Lakers, Ennis is averaging 7.4 points (shooting 45.5 percent from the floor), 2.2 assists and 1.2 rebounds.
-- Nick Silva
