Tag: James Ennis

Explaining the NBA’s hardship exception and the free agents who signed as replacement players

Explaining what hardship exceptions and replacement players mean as COVID-19 protocols hit the NBA.

As the omicron variant of COVID-19 continues to spread, the NBA has required a large share of “replacement players” to fill in for the players who are in health and safety protocols. And so far, more than 100 players have reportedly entered the league’s health and safety protocols so far this month, per ESPN’s Baxter Holmes.

But how exactly do the “replacement players” work?

Essentially, the NBA’s hardship exception allows teams to exceed the 15-man roster limit if more than three players on the roster are each going to miss extended time due to illness or injury. Typically, teams weren’t allowed to apply for the hardship exception before Jan. 5.

But starting last season, the league changed the policy to allow earlier exceptions. And as of earlier this week, effective Dec. 19 until Jan. 19, the NBA is allowing teams to sign one replacement player for each player on their roster who tests positive for COVID-19.

While there are some big names (e.g. Isaiah Thomas, Lance Stephenson, CJ Miles) who have signed as replacement players, there are lots of promising young NBA hopefuls who are hoping to use this opportunity as a chance to stick around the league.

Not all of the players below were signed through hardship exceptions and some transactions (e.g. DeMarcus Cousins and Wesley Matthews to the Milwaukee Bucks) may have happened anyway during a normal season.

But below, based on the NBA’s transaction log and reporting from the league’s top insiders, you can find a live tracker of all the players who have signed new deals with NBA teams over the course of the past month.

Report: Brooklyn Nets sign James Ennis and Shaq Harrison

Reinforcements are on the way for the Nets after the team signed two players to 10-day hardship exceptions.

More reinforcements are on the way for the Brooklyn Nets. According to Shams Charania of the Athletic and Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports, the team will be signing forward James Ennis and guard Shaq Harrison to 10-day hardship exception deals, which will give Brooklyn 11 active players eligible to play.

Ennis, who last played for the Orlando Magic for two seasons from 2019-2020, averaged 8 PPG and 4 RPG. The California native shot it at 46.5% from the field overall and 38% accuracy from downtown. As for Harrison, the Kansas City native, he spent two seasons playing for the Phoenix Suns in 2017 and 2018 where he put up 7 PPG and 2 APG on 48% shooting. Recently, Harrison was playing in the G League for the Delaware Blue Coats.

These signings will cost the Nets more than $1 million in luxury tax.

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Report: Lakers worked out James Ennis ahead of training camp

The Los Angeles Lakers reportedly brought in forward James Ennis for a workout this week.

The Los Angeles Lakers reportedly brought in James Ennis for a workout this week ahead of training camp, according to Jovan Buha of The Athletic.

Los Angeles has maintained interest in the free-agent forward for quite some time now, and with roster spots left to fill, Ennis could emerge as a favorite for one of them.

As Rob Pelinka, general manager of the Lakers, said during a recent press conference, L.A. might fill that 14th spot by the start of training camp while keeping the final guaranteed spot open down the line.

The 6-foot-7 forward can play and defend the 2, 3 and 4 spots, and he converted on 43.3% of his 3-point shots with the Orlando Magic last season.

He could be a great bargain add to come off the bench as a low-usage, trustworthy option for head coach Frank Vogel.

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Report: Lakers among teams interested in James Ennis

The rumors connecting James Ennis to the Los Angeles Lakers have emerged again.

It seems the Los Angeles Lakers are still gauging options for the final guaranteed spot on the roster.

L.A. currently has 13 players guaranteed for next season, excluding two-way players Joel Ayayi and Austin Reaves; Mac McClung and Chaundee Brown aren’t officially on the main roster yet either.

Rajon Rondo’s signing bumped the number to 13 while DeAndre Jordan presumably will make it 14, though that deal hasn’t become official as of yet.

But the last roster spot has been a gray area for the team. Reports indicated L.A. wanted to keep it open for roster flexibility throughout the season, which was why the team moved on from Jared Dudley, who previously served as the 15th man.

However, the Lakers want individuals who can contribute on a nightly basis with that valuable roster spot, and a name that has emerged a few times is James Ennis.

Ennis, the versatile 31-year-old forward, is still a free agent after last playing with the Orlando Magic.

His availability has the Lakers interested, according to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype:

James Ennis has drawn interest from the Blazers as well as the Bulls, Lakers, and Magic, I’m told.

Ennis to Los Angeles has previously been reported as a possibility, but that was before Rondo, and likely Jordan, became realities.

He drilled 43.3% of his 3-pointers on 2.5 attempts last season and can hold on his own on defense as a multi-positional defender; he logged minutes at the two, three and four slots last year.

That type of versatility, combined with legit skill, is a crucial asset for any team to possess on their roster. If the Lakers secured his signature, it would definitely be an intriguing addition.

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5 available wings, forwards the Lakers could sign in free agency

The Los Angeles Lakers could use another veteran wing or forward. Here are five available names that make sense.

The Los Angeles Lakers seem to have their third point guard slot figured out with Rajon Rondo likely returning.

Rondo, who was traded by the L.A. Clippers to the Memphis Grizzlies in August, had his contract bought out by the franchise on Saturday, paving the way for his return to the Lakers.

Los Angeles had been in the market for weeks looking another point guard behind Russell Westbrook and Kendrick Nunn. That hole should be filled soon.

Though the Lakers have players Mac McClung and Chaundee Brown on training camp deals, it’s unclear if either will make the final roster since L.A. wants to keep the last spot open.

It’s possible, according to a report, the Lakers could add another veteran wing or forward to the team to round out the roster. Let’s look at five possible options:

Report: James Ennis a possibility for Lakers in free agency

The Los Angeles Lakers could look to sign wing James Ennis in free agency, according to a report.

The Los Angeles Lakers continue to be linked to notable players still available in free agency.

Los Angeles has been tireless in free agent signings from win-now veterans to younger players with untapped potential.

Experienced veterans Wayne Ellington, Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard, among others, will have roles to play while Malik Monk and Talen Horton-Tucker have plenty of room to develop their games.

As the Lakers get closer to completing the possible 15-man roster, names will continue to be connected to L.A. as a possible destination.

Recently, Isaiah Thomas has been rumored to possibly end up in L.A. as the Lakers could use another point guard.

Another name that has popped up for the Lakers is James Ennis, according to longtime NBA reporter Marc Stein:

“For the Lakers, wing depth is more important than a backup guard. James Ennis is a name that’s been mentioned for the Lakers.”

Ennis, who has played for seven teams in seven seasons, most recently donned the Orlando Magic jersey. Last season, he averaged 8.4 points, 4.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists in 24 minutes per game while being the typical starting small forward.

Ennis’ biggest trait that improved last season was his 3-point shot; he made 43.3% of his perimeter attempts on 2.5 tries per game, which is respectable enough to keep defenses honest.

The 31-year-old wing can guard multiple positions with a 6-foot-11 wingspan, and he even logged minutes as a small-ball power forward last season in Orlando.

Ennis would be a nice depth option for L.A. off the bench as someone who could be trusted to play off the ball and hit open looks while holding his own on defense, too.

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Analyzing every deal from 2020 NBA trade deadline with Ben Golliver

Alex Kennedy and Ben Golliver break down every deal from the 2020 NBA trade deadline, the biggest winners/losers, possible buyouts and more.

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On this episode of The HoopsHype Podcast, Alex Kennedy is joined by Ben Golliver of the Washington Post. They break down every deal from the 2020 NBA trade deadline, the biggest winners and losers, possible buyout candidates and more. Time-stamps are below!

1:35: Alex and Ben discuss their biggest winners of the deadline.

5:12: Alex and Ben discuss their biggest losers of the deadline.

7:55: Did the Golden State Warriors make the right move trading D’Angelo Russell to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Andrew Wiggins and a top-three protected 2021 first-round pick? Alex and Ben debate whether Golden State should’ve waited to see if a better offer emerged over the offseason, what to expect from Minnesota’s new-look team and more.

13:50: Breaking down the three-team deal that sends Marcus Morris to the Los Angeles Clippers. How much better does Morris make them? And what does this deal mean for the New York Knicks and Washington Wizards?

16:05: Alex and Ben discuss Darren Collison’s options if he decides to make an NBA comeback. If you were Collison, would you sign with the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Clippers or another team (such as the Denver Nuggets or Philadelphia 76ers, who have shown interest in him)?

20:15: The Cleveland Cavaliers added Andre Drummond and they didn’t have to give up very much to the Detroit Pistons. Alex and Ben discuss the trade, why they like the move for Cleveland and what Detroit was thinking. They also talk about what this trade says about the evolution of the NBA.

25:10: Alex and Ben discuss the four-team, 12-player trade between the Atlanta Hawks, Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets. They break down Atlanta’s acquisition of Clint Capela, Houston’s addition of Robert Covington and the Rockets’ decision to go super small.

32:45: The Miami Heat acquired Andre Iguodala in a three-team deal with the Memphis Grizzlies and Minnesota Timberwolves, parting ways with Justise Winslow, Dion Waiters and James Johnson. The Heat also added Jae Crowder and Solomon Hill from the deal. Alex and Ben discuss Iguodala’s fit in Miami and the two-year, $30 million extension he signed with the Heat, as well as Memphis’ return for the 36-year-old.

37:25: Alex and Ben rattle off the remainder of minor deals that went down before the deadline and discuss their significance.

39:25: After the trade deadline, focus shifts to the buyout market. Alex and Ben talk about a number of veterans who could potentially be bought out and what kind of impact they could make on a contending team.