NBA Free Agency Rumors: Lakers ‘expressed interest’ in re-signing Tyler Ennis

After Nick Young was one of their initial calls to begin free agency, the Los Angeles Lakers spoke with another familiar face. The front office “expressed interest” in another one of their own free agents, Tyler Ennis, according to Mark Medina of the Southern California News Group.

There were reports the Lakers were “leaning towards” bringing Ennis back before free agency even began, and this could be the first step in making such a reunion happen.

The Lakers traded Marcelo Huertas for Ennis at the NBA trade deadline, after which he averaged 7.7 points and 2.4 assists in 22 games for the Lakers, starting twice.

After the season, Ennis was open about wanting to remain with the Lakers and continue to play under head coach Luke Walton. Ennis also has been an active participant in voluntary workouts with other members of the Lakers’ young core this summer

The Lakers roster currently stands at 13 players if they sign all of the draft picks to NBA contracts, and would be 14 with the addition of Ennis, who would likely slot into the Lakers’ rotation as the back-up point guard behind rookie Lonzo Ball heading into training camp.

Teams can have 15 players on their roster during the regular season, plus two additional two-way players that primarily play for their D-League team, meaning re-signing Ennis would be one of the few additions the Lakers would make in free agency if they brought him back.

All stats per NBA.com. and Basketball-Reference.com. Harrison Faigen is co-host of the Locked on Lakers podcast (subscribe here), and you can follow him on Twitter at @hmfaigen.