Utah Jazz: J-Notes staffers evaluate every NBA trade deadline deal
By Ryan Aston
Pistons acquire James Ennis from Grizzlies
TO PISTONS: James Ennis. TO GRIZZLIES: Brice Johnson, future second-round pick
Keeffer: James Ennis is a freak athlete and a solid 3-point shooter (37 percent for his career). He will be able to help the Pistons in the playoff push much more than Brice Johnson. If you are the Grizzlies, Johnson is a young and athletic piece, who could still turn into a rotational player. They can also use all the picks they can get. This was a win-win.
Thorpe: I really liked Johnson coming out of UNC, however, Detroit wins this trade in my opinion. Ennis is a good shooter and decent rebounder. Should plug some holes in Detroit’s bench rotation quite nicely.
Woodcox: I actually think James Ennis III has some nice potential to help the Pistons and they didn’t give up much to get him. He could provide a nice little boost as a role player.
Aston: OK, so I know I’m the guy who said that Pistons fans should pump the brakes a bit after the big deadline, but I like Ennis and Nelson as supplemental pieces. Weirdly, they’ve both been big-time negatives so far if net ratings are to be believed (Ennis is at minus-12.8 and Nelson minus-6.8 with Detroit), but I expect that script will flip once Van Gundy has more time to weave all the pieces together.
Padmore: I really like all the moves Detroit made during the trade deadline. James Ennis will be a solid addition, and will become a free agent during the summer if it doesn’t work out. It gives them some more depth at small forward, while Memphis adds a young player in Johnson and a second-rounder, which they wanted.
Next: Luke Babbit!!!