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.