Lakers will sign Ennis to back up Ball

The Lakers are bringing back a familiar face to be their backup point guard.

They agreed Tuesday to a veteran’s minimum deal with Tyler Ennis for one year with a team option in the second year, according to a person not authorized to speak publicly.

The 22-year-old Ennis, in whom the Lakers maintained interest throughout free agency, was acquired in a trade with the Houston Rockets in February. He averaged 17.8 minutes, 7.7 points and 2.4 assists in 22 games with the Lakers.

Ennis will back up rookie point guard Lonzo Ball. While the Lakers had interest in bringing Ennis back, they explored options to bring in an older player who could serve as a mentor to Ball, whom they drafted second overall after he played one season at UCLA.

They met with George Hill (31), Rajon Rondo (31) and Derrick Rose (28), all of whom signed elsewhere. — Tania Ganguli

The Portland Trail Blazers traded guard Allen Crabbe to the Brooklyn Nets for forward Andrew Nicholson. The deal comes a year after the Nets offered Crabbe a four-year, $75-million deal as a restricted free agent.

The Trail Blazers matched that offer, and Crabbe averaged 10.7 points, 2.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists last season, making 44.4% of his three-point shots, third in the league

Phoenix Suns backup point guard Brandon Knight tore his left anterior cruciate ligament while playing in a pro-am game last week in Miami and will be lost for the coming season . ... The Orlando Magic agreed to terms on a one-year deal with veteran guard Arron Afflalo, a person with knowledge of the situation told the Associated Press. Afflalo averaged 8.4 points last season for the Sacramento Kings . ... The Atlanta Hawks re-signed power forward Mike Muscala to a twoyear, $10-million deal. Muscala set career highs by averaging 6.2 points and 3.4 rebounds in 70 games.