With teams and players able to negotiate free-agent deals beginning on Monday at 6:00pm ET, the 31-year-old will enter the new league year as a coveted three-and-D wing. “I’ve been in the league for a while,” Ennis told Hoops Rumors in a phone interview this week. “I’m in the league for a reason, obviously. Good vet, a good locker room guy, good teammate all-around. I just want to win. That’s my biggest thing.”
More on James Ennis Free Agency
The veteran forward will enter free agency armed with a respectable 41-game sample that should make him an appealing under-the-radar target for teams in need of a wing. “I like Orlando a lot. When I first got here, I got an opportunity — and that’s all you can ask from a coach,” said Ennis, who was dealt from the Sixers to the Magic at the 2020 deadline. “I’ve definitely enjoyed the city and I’ve made a lot of good memories with my daughter.”
Magic free agent swingman James Ennis is expected to receive interest from several postseason contenders, sources said. Ennis, a seven-year vet, averaged 8.4 points and 4.1 rebounds in 41 games last season and had the best shooting year of his career (43.3 percent from 3-point range in 2.5 attempts per game). Ennis ranked 16th in the league in 3-point percentage among players who played at least 35 games and shot a minimum of 50.
James Ennis, HoopsHype has learned, is looking for a three-year deal if he can but is open to a two-year deal. He wants to get some stability. He’s bounced around a little bit. Ideally, he’s looking for near the non-taxpayer to the taxpayer exception in that range coming off a year where he shot 43 percent from three.
The Orlando Magic have re-signed free agent forward James Ennis III, President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deal are not disclosed. Ennis (6’6”, 215, 7/1/90) played in 69 games (18 starts) last season with both Philadelphia and Orlando, averaging 6.6 ppg. and 3.6 rpg. in 18.3 minpg. He was acquired by the Magic on Feb. 6 from Philadelphia in exchange for a 2020 second round draft pick. Ennis appeared in 20 games (18 starts) with Orlando, averaging 8.4 ppg., 4.8 rpg. and 1.1 apg. in 24.5 minpg. He scored in double figures 16 times (eight times with Orlando) and 20+ points once, including a season-high 20 points on Nov. 29 @ New York. Ennis also played and started in five playoff outings, averaging 7.0 ppg., 5.8 rpg., 1.2 apg. and 1.00 stlpg. in 23.8 minpg.
Shams Charania: Free agent James Ennis has agreed to a one-year deal to return to the Orlando Magic, sources tell @The Athletic @Stadium.
Shams Charania: Magic swingman James Ennis will decline his $2.1M player option and become a free agent, sources tell @The Athletic @Stadium.
Analysis: As the Magic’s roster stands now, Ennis would enter the 2020-21 season as the team’s starting small forward. That would seem like an enticing opportunity — and perhaps an opportunity to enhance his value for the 2021-22 season. I don’t think he would garner a guaranteed multiyear offer elsewhere or a deal for the upcoming season above the veteran’s minimum. Odds he returns: 60 percent
James Ennis III was acquired by the 76ers at the 2019 trade deadline, arriving by way of Houston, and proved to be a valuable spark off the bench down the stretch of the season. A free agent this summer, he ultimately opted to return to the team.
Shams Charania: Free agent James Ennis has agreed to a two-year, $4.1M deal to return to Philadelphia, with second-year player option, league sources tell @The Athletic @Stadium. Ennis turned down more salary from multiple teams to return to a championship contender.
Another name to keep an eye on? James Ennis. Some in the Knicks organization are fans of Ennis and they will keep an eye on Ennis if they don't land their top targets, per sources
Ian Begley: James Ennis' deal with the Houston Rockets is for roughly $4 million in total, league sources told ESPN. He'll have a player option in the final year of the 2-year deal, league sources confirm.
Albert Nahmad: Rockets will sign James Ennis to a 2-year minimum-salary deal, per @Jonathan Feigen, which will pay out $1.6M in 2018-19 with a player option for $1.8M in 2019-20. (If Ennis were to decline the option, Rockets would be able to offer up to $1.9M with Non-Bird rights next summer.)
The Rockets began restocking their small forward position on Wednesday, reaching an agreement with James Ennis on a two-year minimum contract, according to two individuals with knowledge of the agreement. Ennis will have a player option for the second season.
Kelly Iko: Bill Neff—James Nunnally’s agent tells me this morning that he doesn’t think Houston will continue their interest in his client, and instead have focused on James Ennis.
Scott Kushner: Sources tell me SF James Ennis met with the Houston Rockets today. The Pelicans are still actively targeting him as well.
Darren Wolfson: Among many FAs the #Twolves have registered some level of interest: Tolliver, Nick Young, Lance Stephenson, Dante Cunningham, Amir Johnson, Trevor Booker, Jabari Bird, Ennis.
Scott Kushner: I'm told the market has picked up on Pelicans' SF target James Ennis. Could be difficult for NO to get back in on him.
Ian Begley: The Pistons have James Ennis’ early bird rights and have made re-signing him a priority. Several other teams, including the Sixers, Rockets and Nets, have expressed interest in signing the 28-year-old wing, league sources say.
Ian Begley: From earlier: On James Ennis, Ed Stefanski told reporters the FA is ‘in play’ for DET. Team source adds that DET has 'significant interest' in re-signing Ennis. Among a thin group of 2nd-tier wings in this FA class, Ennis will draw outside interest. DET has his Early Bird Rights
Ian Begley: On James Ennis, Ed Stefanski told reporters the FA wing is ‘in play’ for the Pistons. A team source adds that DET has 'significant interest' in re-signing Ennis. Among a thin group of 2nd-tier wings in this FA class, Ennis will draw outside interest. DET has his Early Bird Rights
Stefanski said the team's own free agents, power forward Anthony Tolliver and small forward James Ennis, are on their list. "We like both players," Stefanski said. "I was with James in Memphis. Anthony Tolliver -- the people in Detroit, teammates and everybody -- loves the guy, so they're still in play. It's all going to depend what kind of money is out there and the demand for both those players. More I'd say the ball's in their court than ours."
Peter Edmiston: For those cap nerds among you, Griz GM Chris Wallace confirmed that James Ennis was signed using the Room Mid-Level Exception ($2.898 mil).
Memphis Grizzlies General Manager Chris Wallace today announced that the Grizzlies signed forward James Ennis to a multi-year contract. Per team policy, terms of the deal are not disclosed.
Shams Charania: Vertical Sources: Memphis has agreed to a two-year, guaranteed $6M deal with free agent James Ennis. He averaged 15.9PPG to finish '15-16.
Scott Kushner: Unrestricted FA James Ennis has heard from #Pelicans, #Grizzlies, #Macs, #Clippers, #GSW, #Hawks alre
The New Orleans Pelicans announced today that the team has signed forward James Ennis for the remainder of the 2015-16 season. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Scott Kushner: Sources: The #Pelicans are signing James Ennis.
Bobby Marks: James Ennis is not playoff eligible but a player non-playoff teams should take a look at. Very little risk with a cap friendly contract.
Bobby Marks: Good name on a claim would be James Ennis. Only owed $200k for rest of the season plus a n/g for next year. Must have room or TE to claim.
Ira Winderman: James Ennis has been waived by Grizzlies. By rule, Heat cannot make claim since he was dealt by Heat this season.
