Tyler Ennis traded to the Lakers before deadline
By Mary Coyne
This Syracuse Orange fan is thrilled with the Lakers newest acquisition — former Houston Rocket guard Tyler Ennis.
The Lakers send guard Marcelo Huertas to Houston in the trade. Houston is expected to waive Huertas, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical.
Sources: The Lakers will send guard Marcelo Huertas to the Rockets in Ennis deal. The Rockets will waive Huertas.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 23, 2017
Ennis was a one-and-done at Syracuse where he played in 34 games averaging 12.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, 5.5 assists and 2.1 steals in 35.7 minutes per game. He was named one of the ten semi-finalists for the Naismith College Player of the Year in 2013-14.
In 2014 the Phoenix Suns selected Ennis as the 18th overall pick in the draft. His NBA debut came on October 29th in the Suns’ season opener against the Lakers, where he scored two points, three assists, and one block in an 119–99 win.
Ennis was then traded to the Milwaukee Bucks in February 2015 and underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. The Bucks went on to trade Ennis to the Rockets in September 2016 in exchange for Michael Beasley.
Per Harrison Faigen of SB Nation, Ennis has appeared in 31 games for the Rockets this year.
I had the opportunity to watch Ennis play at the Carrier Dome numerous times and he’s got a confidence about him and strong leadership skills which I’m hoping will surface with his new team.
D’Angelo Russell and Jordan Clarkson are set at the point, however, so he’ll have to battle Jose Calderon for the 3rd string position.
Nonetheless, Ennis, at 22 years old, seems to be a better fit for this young Laker team than the 33 year old Huertas.
Ennis has 24 more games to prove to the organization and the fans that it was a smart trade – and I for one will be rooting for him.
Up next for the Lakers is the Oklahoma City Thunder Friday night at Chesapeake Energy Arena.