Just two days ago we wondered what moves the Lakers might still make with an unbalanced roster and needs in both the backcourt and the wing. Well, the first domino has fallen as the Lakers will reportedly bring back a somewhat familiar face to serve as their backup to Lonzo Ball.
Lakers have agreed to a one-year minimum contract with Tyler Ennis. Team option on Year 2, per league source.
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) July 25, 2017
First, getting Ennis for the minimum is a nice pickup. After flirting with Derrick Rose for what was likely their full room level exception (roughly $4 million), the team found a viable backup for much cheaper than that.
Also, bonus points for getting a player who is familiar with this coaching staff and the schemes the team wants to run on both ends of the floor. Ennis should come right into camp knowing what his role is, how the coaches want him to play, and eager to build on what ended up being a nice stint after the Lakers acquired him via trade from the Rockets as part of the Lou Williams deal.
In Ennis’ 22 games with the Lakers he averaged 7.7 points, 2.4 assists, and 1.2 rebounds a night in nearly 18 minutes a game. Nothing groundbreaking in these numbers, but in his final 10 appearances, those numbers jumped to 11.6 points and 3.4 assists while shooting 46.3% from the floor and 42.5% from behind the arc (on 4 attempts per game) in 26 minutes a night. These are solid backup numbers and even though I do not expect him to get as much burn as he did to close last season, the Lakers are clearly investing more time into his development.
Which, really, is more than reasonable and maybe even pretty smart. Ennis will turn only 23 years old in August of this year. He was a former top 20 draft pick and it’s well known that PG’s take longer to find their stride in the NBA than other positions — especially 1-and-done players like Ennis was. The Lakers coaches have seen him working on his game all summer (he’s supposedly been doing all his work at the Lakers facility) and, after chasing some bigger names (Rose), they’ve settled back onto Ennis.
Overall, then, I like this signing. The fact that it’s (technically) only 1-year keeps the team’s plans for next summer totally unaltered and allows them to actually keep him of he outperforms his expectations and the team doesn’t need that sliver of cap space he’ll occupy. All in all, it’s a win-win for the Lakers.
Now, for a bit of book keeping…
Before Ennis signs his deal, the Lakers actually have a small slice of cap space left – roughly $815K to be more accurate. Why does this matter? Well, the Lakers 2nd round pick Thomas Bryant remains unsigned currently. Players selected in the 2nd round can sign for two years using the minimum salary exception (what Ennis just signed for) or a piece of/full amount of any other exception on the books (like the room exception I mentioned above). But a contract using one of those exceptions can only be for 2 years.
However, if you use cap space to sign a 2nd round pick, that contract can be for up to 4 years. The Lakers have likely been saving that last sliver of cap space to try to sign Thomas Bryant to a 3 year (or longer) contract. Having a player signed for 3 years or longer means you obtain his full Bird Rights at the end of the deal and allows you to match full offer sheets when that player hits restricted free agency after his contract is up. If a player hits free agency after his 2nd season, he is subject to the Arenas Provision which limits what can be offered and matched in RFA (restricted free agency), which complicates this entire process for the incumbent team. If you recall Jordan Clarkson’s FA options, you’ll know this well.
Getting back to Ennis, then, when he signs his deal will matter here. If he signs before Thomas Bryant signs, the Lakers will only be able to offer a 2-year contract to Bryant. So, this is something to keep an eye on. The fact that Bryant has not yet signed is a clear indicator to me that the Lakers want him to sign a deal longer than 2 years. The fact it’s not done strongly implies Bryant/his agent are resistant to this.
On a different (and last) note, the Lakers could still chase another wing in either a pure SG/SF type or even still look at Ian Clark as a combo guard who defends PG’s but mostly fills the role of a shooting guard on offense. Despite signing Ennis, the Lakers could still use some depth on the perimeter and I wouldn’t yet rule out Clark entirely. We’ll see how it goes.
For now, though, welcome back to Tyler Ennis. I look forward to seeing if he can improve and grow as he ages and gets more reps under these coaches.
Chobe Bryant says
Good solid signing and financially makes sense…..Ennis reminds me of a young Jordan Farmar. I’d like to stay away from signing another SG because I think Hart needs some minutes and can play right away. It’s just unfortunate he got hurt early in SL and we weren’t able to see him shine like Kuzma. If they do sign another guard, and I believe you mentioned it on the podcast or have written about it earlier, but I agree that we may see a lot of 3-guard lineups on the floor.
Irrelevant fun fact: With this signing, I believe the Lakers might have broken an NBA record for most mixed-heritage players in NBA history.
Robert Fisher says
Thanks Darius for the expanded explanation on the Bryant situation and the remaining cap space.
I am very happy to see Ennis signed. If they do sign Bryant, my guess is again they might leave the last roster spot open to see what jewels show up in training camp.
Also, if you feel inclined, could you please do an article explaining the Room Exception versus the MLE? I have read section 25 and 26 of the NBA Salary Cap FAQ, and I still don’t understand why the Lakers don’t have the 8,406,000 MLE instead of the 4,328,000 Room.
Darius Soriano says
Robert,
You only get the full MLE when you do not fall below the cap (or, said another way, become a cap space team). The Lakers fell below the cap (they used that $ to sign KCP) and, thus, only get the “room” exception. Hope that clarifies things.
Robert Fisher says
Thanks Darius,
Just to be sure – if a team starts out at or above the cap, then they get the MLE? And does that include the cap holds for the team’s Free Agents? And if a FA signs with another team and their cap hold drops the team below the cap, then they lose the MLE?
Example, if they sign Bryant to the remaining cap for 4 years as you explained, then Ennis’ salary takes them over the cap. And if they pick up one more for the Room then they are 5,852,305 over the cap. Assuming no trades for this example, with the cap going up only about 3 mil and considering salary increases for signed players and cap holds, the Lakers would enter the 2018-2019 season on July 1, 2018 technically over the cap. That would mean at that point in time they would be eligible for the MLE? However, once anything happens to drop them below the cap like their FAs signing elsewhere or they renounce them, then they lose the MLE for that year and drop back to the Room Exception? How did I do?
Joseph says
Regardless of the cap holds, the Lakers would be below the cap until those players are signed. They’ll fall below the cap come next year again with Lopez and KCP coming off the books. If Lopez and KCP were on multi year deals, the Lakers would likely stay above the cap and at that would have the full mid level instead of the room exception.
Busboys4me says
Great signing. Thanks for the insight, I hope Bryant signs as well, especially as insurance in case Zu totally regresses.
bill says
Why did it take the Lakers so long to sign Ennis. Was Rose and Clark really the better choice?
darthgeezr says
Where is T. Robinson in all this? We’ve lost energy guys like Black and Nwaba – does that mean we’ll lose Robinson too?
Matthew says
I doubt the Lakers were ever interested in bringing T-Rob back for this season. There were almost zero links to him. Besides the Lakers have enough options for the 4 and 5. Randle, Nance, Kuzma, Deng, Lopez, Zubac and Thomas Bryant.
FredP says
Completely agree with your takes on this Darius. Why the Lakers wanted to bring in PG’s steeped in old school basketball is beyond me. Ennis was the logical choice all along and we have Cleveland to thank for helping to make that happen. I am not sure how well Ball will hold up physically during the season and do not see him being able to play much more than 3 quarters/game. Ennis may get a little more burn as a result. Thanks for the explanation of Bryant’s situation. It will be interesting if they are able to sign him for more than two years.
Clay Bertrand says
I share your concern over Lonzo being able to handle the 82 game schedule and be available all season. No knock on him at this stage. He is a very young guy and not physically full grown and filled out yet. Although Ingram played pretty heavy minutes all of last season, he wasn’t the focal point of the offense like Ball will certainly be. Ingram also didn’t have the target on his back that Ball will carry into the season.
Sufficed to say, I believe the “Back Up” PG position is going to get regular minutes and then some. Sure they may slide Clarkson over (until they trade him) and Ingram will see some informal time at the 1 as well.
Luke’s substitution pattern seemed to involve a lot of subs and keeping guys minutes managed to make sure everyone had the energy to play the style he wants to see. Ball would have to be in perfect shape AND get lucky to play the whole season. Its surprising that Ingram played as much as he did as slight as he is and with all the minutes he played last season. Let’s see how Luke manages Lonzo’s minutes.
I’m glad Ennis is getting more of a chance. He could fizzle or he could really blossom this season with some stability and a stated role. Honestly, he’s already been much better than our last Canadian Point Guard!!!!!!!
drrayeye says
Tyler Ennis has always been my “natural” selection for backup pg–and not just for the money. He is another returning Laker who has absorbed and incorporated Luke’s teaching in game scenarios already. He may actually be a perfect mentor as well as supporting pg for Lonzo–playing Lonzo ball from the getgo.
I hope that your assessment of Bryant’s situation is correct–and he signs.
I would have approved the signing of Clark, but I almost prefer that the Lakers still have $4.3 million available. There are many unforeseeable possibilities in which that money could come in handy.
Vasheed says
I’m happy we got Ennis. I thought he did well enough at the end of last year to deserve this contract. The 2nd year option is a nice bonus for the Lakers should he prove himself over a full season.
As for Bryant the draft process gives the drafting team a lot of leverage as intended. Should the Lakers offer a contract in the next roughly 4 weeks, and Bryant chose not to sign it, he would not be able to play in the NBA for the next year and likely would have to go through the draft again with the uncertainty that brings as a late 2nd rounder. Let’s get er done.
mattal says
I’m not sure that Bryant would go through the draft again if he chooses not to sign the Lakers offer. I believe the Lakers would retain his rights until they traded him or released him.
That said, I think he’ll sign. The Lakers offer would probably mirror a 4 year deal that a late first round pick would get. I don’t think that Bryant and his people will say no to that.
It used to be that 2nd round picks, that could play, would get a fast track to their big money 2nd contracts. Rightfully so, the NBA has given the drafting team more leverage in protecting their shrewd drafting.
Vasheed says
I read through it today. The Lakers would keep his rights for one year and then he would re-enter the draft unless he signed overseas. Then the Lakers would have an exclusive 1 year period after his non-nba contract was over. Basically you sign the contract the drafting team offers or you cannot play in the NBA for 1 year.
https://moorebasketball.com/2016/05/30/how-it-works-draft-rights-and-signing-draft-picks/
mattal says
Thanks for the insight. I don’t recall ever seeing a player that had to re-enter the draft before…
Darius Soriano says
That’s actually not what the linked to article says. It says that’s how it works for players who are not “early entry” players. But Bryant was an early entry player. He declared after his sophomore year. So, the rules for him are different:
Early Entry Players – Draft Rights
Draft Rights for Early Entry players[3] are a little different from Draft Rights for other draft eligible players. For teams, things remain mostly the same – they gain Draft Rights the same way and the Required Tender requirements are the same. The only difference is how long the player’s drafting team holds his Draft Rights. Unlike other players whose Draft Rights are kept for one full year, Early Entry players are bound by their drafting teams until one year after the first NBA Draft they could have entered as non-Early Entry players. For example, Ben Simmons declared for the 2016 NBA Draft after his freshman season, making him an Early Entry player. Whichever team drafts Simmons will hold his Draft Rights until the 2020 NBA Draft, one year after the first draft Simmons could have entered as a non-Early Entry player (2019 NBA Draft). [4] As such, the consequences of an Early Entry player not signing a player contract are much more severe than for non-Early Entry players.
These rules for Early Entry players apply even if the player signs a contract overseas and attempts to be considered under International/Eurostash player rules (explained below). There is no loophole for Early Entry players to shorten their drafting team’s Draft Rights period.
Darius Soriano says
Based on the above, then, the Lakers would hold Bryant’s draft rights for 3 more seasons — 1 season after he could enter the draft as a non-early entry player. If anyone thinks Bryant is waiting that long to play in the NBA, they’re fooling themselves.
Vasheed says
I missed the “early entry” part which gives the Lakers even more leverage than I thought. I saw last night that the Lakers actually signed Ennis. However, I’m curious if the Lakers already tendered an offer to Bryant using available cap space would that still apply using available cap space or is the cap space used up by signing Ennis and now the Lakers can only sign him for 2 years? Basically can cap space be held by offering a contract that is not yet signed?
Joseph says
The cap space was used up by Ennis signing for the minimum. Once the contract is submitted to the league, that’s it. Doesn’t matter when the offer was tendered to Bryant. At this stage, all Bryant can sign for is a deal upwards of 2 years.
Vasheed says
Thank You!
Old Timer says
By dilly dallying, Lakers missed signing a cheap future 3 pt phenom Matt Thomas. Got it right on Ennis than venturing on Derrick or Dwayne, o don’t think they’re enthused in mentoring but extending their career.
Hopefully, the 2nd unit are offense-defense oriented to carry on the momentum to get Lakers to the playoffs. I’m just concerned w/ Ball and Lopez possible absences p/t, whether there are subs good enough to supplement the energy void.
Lastly, M&R expressed their future plans to current roster. In ’18 only Ball and Ingram plus 2nd year rookies are safe, everyone are dispensable. What will this “sword of Democles” hanging over the head do to a player that his Laker tenure is on a borrowed time? Will there be a renewed team spirit or more of self preservation from players point of view?
R says
I’m going to indulge this fantasy of both LBJ and PG coming with BI untouchable. This is a serious question: would the Lakers start three wings ?
Although of course LeBron in his prime can play essentially anywhere on the floor. How much of his prime the Lakers would be buying is another question entirely.
Matt says
I think starting 3 wings is the goal, not an unexpected complication to be solved.
Dream starting lineup for next year would be:
Lonzo
BI
George
LeBron
Lopez/Bryant/Zubac/Randle/Nance/TBD – rim protector with not-awful outside shot and some lateral movement ability in defensive switches – depends on the kids’ progress and what financial moves are made around the PG/LBJ signings.
Assuming Lonzo is at least an average NBA defender in his Sophomore year (somewhere between Curry and Dame), BI is at least a bit above average in his third year…that’s an absurd ability to swap everything on defense, and put everyone in any available role on offense.
A Horse With No Name says
ICYMI: Draft Express is being mothballed, as Givony and Schmitz are being swallowed by the borg. They will now be indentured servants, subject to the ever changing whims of espn. I wish them well and lament the loss of their great site.
TempleOfJamesWorthy says
There’s footage from the negotating session on Youtube…;-D…
https://youtu.be/JIQmfwe3YAM?t=3m27s
drrayeye says
I do think that the Lakers still need a veteran PG–bu it has to be a very special one that understands, supports, and practices his own version of Lonzo ball in his backup role. The only one that excites me is Ricky Rubio–and I think that he could be obtained through a trade with Utah.
Just a thought.
Anonymous says
Rubio is on a team friendly contract and is still quite young. I believe Utah wants to keep him. Which means they are likely going to want a couple of our youngsters in return for prying him away.
I think the Lakers are willing to trade Randle/Clarkson but the right deal isn’t for a backup point guard. So no, I don’t see Rubio wearing a Lakers uniform in the near term.
drrayeye says
It all depends on how things go this year for Utah–and the Lakers. Just keep Rubio in the back of your mind. . . .
John Corey says
I loved what T Rob bought to the team. I really think that if he can get big minutes somewhere they will be pleasantly surprised by his numbers.
Chris J says
I like resigning Ennis. He played well enough at the end of the season, and point guard is a slot in which some players don’t excel right away. I don’t foresee him ever becoming a star, but a solid backup seems reasonable, especially for a team that’s still a few years away from contention (barring some free agent bonanza next summer).
This was a solid move, all things considered, though I do agree with those who’ve said a veteran mentor-type would have been useful. Who that guy was, however, was never readily apparent and I’d much rather have Ennis back than to have gone with Rondo or the ghost of Derrick Rose’s knees.
Alan says
I like the add and understand the remaining slot or slots with the team might be decided with those players invited to training camp. Looking forward to preseason and then new regular season with high expectations.
Gizpacho says
I have appreciated the Patience and Decisiveness of the new FO. They came in and pulled the immediate trigger on the Lou Wil trade. In the predraft they worked out all the top prospects and played the game enough to make the LonZo no-brainer look uncertain. The DAR trade was quiet and surprising, it accomplished things that advance the agenda. The KCP signing was PURE PATIENCE REWARDED. Beautiful. Very excited to see what he brings. The backup PG slot was well investigated, it’s been nice to be seriously considered by multiple valuable players this year. Ennis is a good signing, and I appreciate the way it went about getting done. I think they might have jumped the gun on Caruso, but realistically, they were signing they’re G-league starting PG. I don’t think he is a cog in the grand scheme. I’m hoping for a Bryant signing, love his passion and energy.
Tom Daniels says
Everyone on this roster will get minutes, I think. First off, the pace the team will be playing at will inevitably shorten the minutes guys will be able to go. Most guys cannot play fast and effectively for too long.
Add in injuries, a likely desire to see a lot of lineup combos (small ball lineups of death with Randle or Nance at center, 3 guard sets, Kuzma at SF…), rotations that help to evaluate the young talents rom this draft, perhaps an effort to showcase Deng for trade… I think we will see a lot of experimentation.
It will drive some people crazy, but it makes sense as this is (they hope) the last year to do such things before they shoot for contention again. And Steve Kerr does a lot of experimentation even in title drive years, so why shouldn’t Luke mess around in a season where the best case is an 8th slot?
Tom Daniels says
I really enjoyed watching T Rob and Tarik and Nwaba last year. Seeing guys play hard was a pleasure on a team that sucked so badly. But not having guys like that on the roster is actually a good sign. Good teams don’t have minutes for unskilled players.
There is value to energy guys, you need guys who do the small stuff, but, especially in today’s NBA, they also have to do other things well. Especially shoot. Bigs who can’t shoot have become a liability. So Nwaba, an actual shooting guard who can’t shoot, is going to have to make a huge step in his shooting to play in the league.
Giving center minutes to Randle and Nance, who can can play with energy and ALSO handle the ball and have passing skills (and who, even last year, were far better shooters and scorers than T Rob and Tarik) is a step up. Bryant, a raw energy guy at this point, CAN shoot. KCP and Hart and Clarkson will be more skilled and versatile players than Nwaba.
Maybe having one pure energy guy is a good thing. But having three guys who are more athletes than they are players on your roster is a sure sign that you suck.
Clay Bertrand says
Both are good posts and I agree with a lot of what you are saying. I think the biggest thing that is spot on is the point you make regarding minutes:
“Everyone on this roster will get minutes, I think. First off, the pace the team will be playing at will inevitably shorten the minutes guys will be able to go. Most guys cannot play fast and effectively for too long.”
___________________________________________
Well put. I think that one of the things we saw was a willingness on Luke’s part last season to rotate/substitute players for FRESHNESS. His sub patterns were to play guys for shorter stretches before subbing and it seemed he did sub more often to keep guys able to play the pace that he wants. I expect to see more of the same.
Your point about TRob, Tarik and Nwaba is interesting. I think it is a valid point to say that the overall roster quality is better so these players are not part of the plan. Not that I don’t see some value in each of those players. But if KCP is an upgrade from Nwaba, (which he IS if also at a price 12 times Nwaba’s) and Bryant is an upgrade for TRob and Black (yet to be seen but certainly very possible) then we are seeing an overall improvement in the roster from the shooting and skill perspective at least.
With the new FO, the direction seems smarter and clearer. Even if the concept of luring Lebron, PG, Westbrook, Cousins etc. may appear rather grandiose, at least it also comes with an astute interpretation of the marketplace next summer as it relates to the lack of teams that will be in a position to spend. Pelinka has smartly read the NBA landscape IMO. Next summer he will have the chance to close the deal so to speak on bagging some prime FAs.
drrayeye says
Tom,
I could almost say the opposite. There is value to guys that can shoot, but if they can’t play defense, they won’t survive. The key is balance. Giving center minutes to Randle is a nonstarter because he cannot defend like Tarik, nor can he shoot much better. He may have the ball handling skills to run, but not the basketball IQ skills to make the right decision. He gets things done almost entirely due to exceptional quickness and athleticism. Randle’s probably the most pure energy player on the Laker roster.
Clarkson is similar in many ways: he can make athletic moves and score, but not make the right pass often enough–his three’s are not quite consistent enough–and his defense is very weak. Clarkson may score more than Nwaba, but his plus/minus might even be worse.
I’m not trying to get rid of either of them, and hope they improve, but they are not as much of an upgrade over T Rob, Tarik, and Nwaba as you might think. Tarik is already back with Houston, and Nwaba has a contract with Chicago. Don’t be so sure that you’ve seen the last of T Rob quite yet!
Tom Daniels says
You are right, and to clarify, I was not making an argument FOR bad defensive players. I was saying that athletic, but unskilled players, shouldn’t be filling up a lot of your bench.
To be fair to Nwaba, he is a very good defender and might have a role as a deep rotation player on a good team based on that. Robinson and Black are high energy, but pretty unskilled,and I doubt either is an above average defender. And all three are guys the other team can help off of, which hurts your whole offense.
RR says
Lamar Odom in the Players Tribune:
https://theplayerstribune.com/lamar-odom-done-in-the-dark/