Sixers
76ers Ink James Ennis to 2-Year Contract
Published02 Jul 2019
By Matt Gregan, Sports Talk Philly Staff 
The Philadelphia 76ers are bringing back James Ennis III on a two-year contract worth $4.1 million, according to The Athletic's 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 @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium. Ennis turned down more salary from multiple teams to return to a championship contender.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 2, 2019
Ennis III was acquired in a mid-season trade last year with the Houston Rockets with the expectation that he would battle for a spot in the Sixers' rotation off the bench. After he won a spot in the rotation over Furkan Korkmaz and Jonathon Simmons, he averaged 5.3 points and 3.6 rebounds in 15.6 minutes per game in 18 games in a 76ers uniform last season. He became a solid, reliable player off the bench for the 76ers in a relatively short time, excelling as someone who provided grit and toughness to the second unit.
A career 35.7 percent 3-point shooter, Ennis III actually had a down year in that department last season. His efficiency numbers were down across the board in his time as a 76er, shooting 30.6 percent from 3-point range and 41.0 percent from the field. The lower efficiency just makes it all the more impressive that Ennis III was able to still carve out a significant role in Philadelphia's rotation.
Ennis III picked up his level of play on the court in the playoffs, something that impressed general manager Elton Brand and probably played a big role in why he is willing to come back. He averaged 7.5 points and 3.8 rebounds per game in 21.1 minutes off the bench.
The 76ers are at the point this offseason where they are attempting to fill out their roster and improve their depth. With only a little over $2 million left in cap space, many of the players that the team will bring in will be on veteran minimum contracts. Ennis III showed that he valued playing for a team that has the ability to contend for a championship by taking less money to stay in Philadelphia. Although he does have a second-year player option to potentially opt out of his contract after this season.
