DECEMBER 18: Brooklyn has signed both players, the team tweets.
DECEMBER 16: The Nets are planning to use the hardship exemption to sign forward James Ennis, Shams Charania of The Athletic tweets. They will also give Shaquille Harrison a 10-day deal using the same exemption, Chris Haynes of Yahoo Sports tweets.
The team was missing seven players on Thursday due to health and safety protocols — James Harden, Bruce Brown, Paul Millsap, Jevon Carter, James Johnson, LaMarcus Aldridge and DeAndre’ Bembry. Joe Harris is recovering from ankle surgery.
Despite being shorthanded, Brooklyn won its fourth straight by downing Philadelphia 114-105. The club had only nine players available, including Langston Galloway, who received a 10-day contract on Thursday using the exemption.
The well-travelled Ennis appeared in 41 games for the Magic last season, including 37 starts. He averaged 8.4 PPG and 4.0 RPG in 24.0 MPG. He failed to find a free agent offer after playing out his one-year, $3.3MM contract with Orlando.
Harrison played a combined 34 regular-season games off the bench for the Jazz and Nuggets last season. He also appeared in nine playoff games for Denver. He was waived by the Sixers during training camp.
Prior to Thursday’s game, Nets coach Steve Nash expressed concern about overusing Kevin Durant.
“I don’t know we can continue to lean on him the way we have,” he said, according to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps. “It doesn’t feel right.”
I’m kind of surprised Ennis hasn’t found his way to a team yet, even for the minimum. He’s not bad to have as veteran depth.
I also think it’s evident that the Nets seem to have an eye for young talent, with both Duke and Edwards being surprisingly effective thus far
I agree that it is strange it took Ennis this long to find a job, i can’t imagine the Lakers haven’t inquired, although maybe Lebron never heard of him so they decided to take on the name Isaiah Thomas instead of the useful
Agreed. Like both Ennis and Harrison a lot. Something strange about NBA rosters. Hard to believe that all 30 teams each have 15 players better than Ennis and Harrison. Great pick ups for the Nets.
Yeah I was hoping he’d go to the bucks as a PJ Tucker replacement but they signed DeMarcus Cousins – not that I’m complaining.
Harrison is a pesky defender, good add for them