LAKERS LAND ENNIS AS ROCKETS FREE UP MORE SALARY
The Los Angeles Lakers acquired point guard Tyler Ennis and the rights to swingman Brad Newley from the Houston Rockets for combo guard Marcelo Huertas.
What does it give the Los Angeles Lakers
New Lakers team prez Magic Johnson continues to move swiftly after getting hired this week, this time adding a still-promising point guard prospect in Ennis. While Ennis hasn't quite shown he's ready yet to be an NBA regular, he has a lot of talent (and was the No. 18 overall pick in the 2014 Draft). Clearly Magic is expediting the team's youth movement. Newley's rights appear to be a throw-in asset (possibly to use in future deals), as he's currently playing in Greece and is 32 years old--so may never play in the NBA.
What does it give the Houston Rockets
Houston continues to shed salary, looking for cap space to be able to sign a veteran free agent (as Ennis makes a little more than Huertas). Plus, the Rockets are expected to waive Huertas, further freeing up potential free agent funds. Don't be surprised if high-scoring Houston picks up a defense-first veteran down the stretch.
Fantasy impact
Ennis joins a still-mostly-unproven Lakers guard group, so he becomes a little more worth keeping an eye on down the stretch. Expect him to compete with Jordan Clarkson and Jose Calderon for backup backcourt minutes in the Lakers rotation. That said, don't expect Ennis to become fantasy-worthy soon. As mentioned, Newley is playing in Greece and is 32 years old; so even if he ever somehow makes it to the NBA, he's not likely to make much of a fantasy splash, if any.
