Cavs: FA James Ennis III is a veteran wing worth consideration

Ennis is still a quality defender, and he could be a meaningful, low-cost vet for the Cavs

As we also noted, even with him not maybe being 100 percent of the defender he was earlier on in his career with the Memphis Grizzlies, or in the early Philly days, he still holds his own against opposing wings, and still can sit and slide pretty well. Plus, his 6-foot-11.5 wingspan makes him impactful in contesting shots.

That would help Cleveland in spurts/stretches off the bench, and a nice veteran presence in Ennis could aid Isaac Okoro and give him some advice in relation to the defensive end.

Ennis is a player that is multi-positional on defense, and at 6-foot-6, 215 pounds, can even at times do a commendable job against primary playmakers, to go with hold his own against 4s. So that should be another part of the seller for him potentially for Cleveland.

And lastly, while Ennis could of course sign elsewhere, and the Bulls are reportedly a team that’s had interest in him, and “some contenders,” per Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, maybe Ennis could have interest in possibly ending up with the Cavs.

He could seemingly be a meaningful veteran presence for them, and given the inconsistencies with Cedi Osman, and with how Dylan Windler has had injury struggles, perhaps that could lead to appeal for Ennis.

I can’t say for certain, but with Cleveland being still seemingly in need for a capable rotational wing shooter, and a veteran presence, I wouldn’t imagine it’s far-fetched to think Ennis could have interest.

Plus, with him having been on team-friendly deals previously, I’d think he wouldn’t cost much if interest were to be mutual, and the roughly $3.7 million bi-annual exception could be a deal for him in that sense. Or maybe a two-year deal with a non-guaranteed second year, via compensation from some of the $9.5 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception could do the trick, in theory.

Moreover, while he could possibly end up with a contender, the 31-year-old Ennis is definitely a player, particularly at this point in free agency, that should warrant consideration from the Cavs.

For now for next season, Cleveland has only 10 players with guaranteed deals and the likes of Damyean Dotson, Mfiondu Kabengele, Dean Wade, Lamar Stevens and Fall are on non-guaranteed deals for next season, too. Stevens I’d prioritize currently, of that group, and then Wade/maybe Fall.