NBA Free Agency 2018: 5 offseason targets for the Portland Trail Blazers

NEW ORLEANS, LA - APRIL 19: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers stands on the court during Game 3 of the Western Conference playoffs against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on April 19, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

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2. James Ennis

Since Wes Matthews parted ways with the Blazers in 2015, this team has had issues finding viable two-way options on the wing. Moe Harkless fits the 3-and-D archetype when his jumper is falling. But beyond him Portland has few guys that can hold up defensively at the three. Evan Turner, who started 40 games for the Blazers in 2018, is flammable on defense and can’t reliably shoot from deep.

James Ennis is a potential solution to some of the Blazers’ issues on the wing. He’s an unheralded three man with legit 3-and-D potential that has bounced around the league for the past four seasons. Portland would be a nice NBA home for him. Ennis is a tough defender with a solid body frame. He’s 6’7 with a stretchy wingspan that measures just a hair under 7-feet long. That’s the kind of player this Portland team is dying to add.

On the other end of the floor Ennis doesn’t have a very complicated game. He’s a low usage player that relies on his teammates to create open looks for him on offense. The overwhelming majority of his shot diet comes off catch and shoot looks from deep or cuts to the rim. He’s not much of a threat off the dribble, but he can get into the lane if the defense is descending into chaos. Although his game is fairly simple on offense, Ennis is decisive and that matters for a player that’s fairly limited.

Four years into his career Ennis’ long range jumper is still somewhat of an unproven commodity. Ennis has shot the ball at a 36 percent clip from deep in his career, but his 3-point shot has ebbed and flowed over the years. His career mark is at about the league average rate. If Ennis can continue shooting at that level, or even improve, he could be a bargain signing for the Blazers. Throwing him into the rotation for about 25 minutes per game could be huge on both ends of the floor.

In addition, Ennis will likely be the only wing with two-way pedigree on the market that will be affordable for Portland. Anyone with a more proven track record will likely go for the full MLE, which the Blazers won’t be able to offer barring some massive salary dumps.

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