SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH – APRIL 03: James Ennis III #11 of the Orlando Magic shoots against Joe Ingles #2 of the Utah Jazz during a game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on April 3, 2021 in Salt Lake City, Utah. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)
” data-medium-file=”https://i2.wp.com/lakersoutsiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/1232097707.jpeg?fit=300%2C200&ssl=1″ data-large-file=”https://i2.wp.com/lakersoutsiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/1232097707.jpeg?fit=730%2C487&ssl=1″ loading=”lazy” class=”size-full wp-image-49818″ src=”https://i2.wp.com/lakersoutsiders.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/1232097707.jpeg?resize=730%2C487&ssl=1″ alt=”James Ennis” width=”730″ height=”487″ data-recalc-dims=”1″ />
The Los Angeles Lakers have two open roster spots with media day right around the corner on Tuesday, September 24th. Training camp starts right after, with it being assumed that Rob Pelinka, Frank Vogel, and the rest of the organization would want to have their full team ready to go for the camp’s start. It should be noted that the team has kept one open roster spot going into the past two seasons, leaving that open for potential buyout candidates around the trade deadline. However, they’ve never carried two spots into the opening of the season. Yesterday, Rob Pelinka confirmed they would be addressing one of those roster spots, saying that they were in the final stages of evaluating players for that spot (h/t Harrison Faigen of Silver Screen & Roll). One player that has been linked to the Lakers is James Ennis, who reportedly worked out for the Lakers this week.
The Athletic’s Jovan Buha had the news.
Free agent James Ennis worked out for the Lakers this week, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA.
As Lakers vice president of basketball operations and general manager Rob Pelinka said on Thursday, the team is looking to fill its 14th roster spot by training camp next Tuesday.
— Jovan Buha (@jovanbuha) September 24, 2021
This isn’t surprising given the previous reports that have connected Ennis to the Lakers. It’s even less surprising when you consider Ennis’ Twitter likes (h/t Silver Screen & Roll) that have essentially shown him begging to be a Laker.
James Ennis III has played for the Orlando Magic in the past two seasons, averaging 8.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.4 assists per game in his time there. The Lakers would be bringing Ennis in based on his three-point shooting. Last season, he made 43.3% of his 2.5 three-point attempts per game.
Either way, this is definitely going to just be a depth move as opposed to a move for a player that may be in the day-to-day rotation. Although the 43.3 three-point percentage would be one of the best on the team, Ennis lacks other skills that would allow for him to play above or at the minutes that players like Trevor Ariza, Kent Bazemore, Malik Monk, and Wayne Ellington would get.
Expect more news this weeked revolving Ennis or other players the team may be looking at to round out their roster.
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