5. Signing James Ennis III in Free Agency
With the departures of Trevor Ariza and Luc Mbah a Moute in free agency, the Rockets lost two strong perimeter defenders. Finding a suitable replacement was essential for a team that ranked sixth in defensive rating last season. Grabbing small forward James Ennis III was a step in the right direction.
His offensive production is nothing to brag about, though he is an effective floor spacer and shoots 36 percent from beyond the arc through his four-year career. Ennis makes his impact defensively. He is an aggressive perimeter defender who is capable of locking down opponents. While with the Memphis Grizzlies in 2017, he proved his defensive worthwhile guarding new teammate James Harden.
The addition of Ennis should fill the gap left by Ariza and Mbah a Moute, and Houston was able to get him without breaking the bank. He’s doubtful to become a starter, and won’t replicate the offensive production of Ariza. However, his defensive skills were more than enough to justify offering him a veteran minimum contract.
Grade: B+
Next Up: Move 4
