Canadian Tyler Ennis is happy that the Los Angeles Lakers are giving him an opportunity to show what he can do on the court. The 22-year-old has been a journeyman so far in the NBA even though he arrived in the league just a couple of years ago. Ennis, who was drafted at number 18 by the Phoenix Suns in the 2014 NBA draft, was later traded to the Milwaukee Bucks and to the Houston Rockets from Milwaukee. During this year's NBA trade deadline, the Lakers traded guard Marcelo Huertas to the Rockets and received Ennis, reported Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports.
Sources: The Lakers will send guard Marcelo Huertas to the Rockets in Ennis deal. The Rockets will waive Huertas.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojVerticalNBA) February 23, 2017
Point guard Ennis has been playing just under 13 minutes per game in his team's last 10 games; 12.9 minutes. He has been averaging 6.1 points to go along with two assists per game. The Canadian has been collecting five points in 10.8 minutes per contest in the last five games, according to ESPN. Ennis' best performance in a Laker uniform came on Sunday, when he had an all-around performance against the Portland Trail Blazers. He scored 14 points, dished out five assists, grabbed three rebounds, and had four steals in 26 minutes of action given by coach Luke Walton.
''Yeah. You know, I think for me the main thing is being on the floor,'' Ennis replied, "And, you know, the Lakers and coaches are giving me an opportunitiy to do that. So, I just try to go out and learn.''
Ennis has good support in L.A.
The Los Angeles Lakers staff are certainly aware that Tyler Ennis has been through so much in his short NBA career.
Point guard Ennis is fighting to prove himself in Los Angeles as he would like to become a regular member of the team's rotation in the years to come. ''The older guys help me a lot,'' The Canadian revealed. ''You know, coach B (Brian) Shaw, (head) coach Luke (Walton), and the whole staff just, you know, kinda helping me out, you know, (not only) with this offense but (they are helping me) in general (as well).''
'You develop while playing'
As the 18th pick of the 2014 NBA draft, Tyler Ennis is likely to be given some playing action regularly before the season ends.
A positive finish to the season by the point guard would help him in his bid to secure a spot on the team next season. ''I think it's obviously, you know, (about) development and being patient,'' Ennis added. ''But, you know, I think for me just being out there is part of my development.''
Full interview: