Ennis signed to help fill void
$3.4 million deal begins restocking at small forward
LAS VEGAS — Rockets general manager Daryl Morey rushed into Cox Pavilion, said a few words to Mike D’Antoni, then retreated to the corner dressing area for the only privacy the UNLV gym could offer. When he emerged minutes later, his Blackberry still pressed to his ear, he had begun restocking the Rockets’ small forward position and drew a huge smile from his coach.
The Rockets made their first move in a planned two-pronged retooling at the position, reaching an agreement Wednesday with James Ennis on a two-year, $3.4 million contract, two individuals with knowledge of the agreement said.
Ennis will have a player option for the second season, worth $1.8 million if he picks up his option. He would be an unrestricted free agent without Bird rights if he becomes a free agent, limiting the Rockets to an offer of $1.9 million, assuming they remain above the salary cap.
The Rockets hope Wednesday’s move builds momentum for the next one.
The Rockets have met with Carmelo Anthony in anticipation of Anthony becoming a free agent with an expected release by the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Thunder granted permission for the Rockets and Miami Heat to meet with Anthony, with the Rockets sending a group of owner Tilman Fertitta,
vice president Gersson Rosas, Morey, D’Antoni and guard Chris Paul, long a close friend of Anthony’s, to make a pitch here in Las Vegas.
Anthony would bring different strengths than Trevor Ariza and Luc Mbah a Moute, players who left the Rockets as free agents this month, and could be used at both forward positions if the Rockets can sign him. Ennis is expected to help fill the need for a 3-and-D player.
Ennis, 28, is considered an outstanding defensive wing who could bring the 3-point shooting to fit in the Rockets’ style. He has made 35.9 percent of his 3s in his four-year career, slumping last season when he was traded to the Detroit Pistons at the trade deadline. But he has potential as a catch-and-shoot threat.
Played for Bzdelik before
In 2016-17, when Ennis received his most extensive playing time and started 28 games for Memphis, he made 39 percent of his corner 3s.
Ennis has not been the scorer off the dribble that Mbah a Moute has been throughout his career, but Ennis should have no difficulty filling the role as the first player running the floor to the corners. He’s also expected to bring greater speed to the Rockets’ fast break.
The 6-7 Ennis played under Rockets associate head coach Jeff Bzdelik in Memphis, giving the Rockets confidence he can defend within their switching system while taking the toughest wing assignment available when he is on the floor.
“They were real good in recruiting him,” said Ennis’ agent, Scott Nichols. “The coach, management, they met with him out in L.A. Mike’s been real honest with James about his role. The Rockets makes perfect sense. They lost Trevor Ariza and Luc. There’s a possible starting position there. James plays up and down, multiple positions, long, 3-point shots. It fits perfectly for what the Rockets need, maybe even a better fit than what they had last year because he’s younger with more upside.
“He loves defense and he played for some really defensiveminded coaches with (Miami coach Erik) Spoelstra and (former Memphis coach David) Fizdale. And he played a similar style in New Orleans. It’s a good fit.”
11 players under contract With Ennis and the addition of Michael Carter-Williams, the Rockets have 11 players under contract and are optimistic they will re-sign Clint Capela. With Anthony and second-round pick De’Anthony Melton, they would be at the minimum of 14 players to start the season. They could make last season’s secondround pick Isaiah Hartenstein or Vincent Edwards the 15th player on the roster or convert R.J. Hunter to a full contract.
Days after losing Mbah a Moute, the Rockets have taken an important step toward filling the roster and reworking the rotation with the “fit” that drew Ennis to the Rockets making him an important addition for them.