LOS ANGELES_The Los Angeles Lakers are bringing back a familiar face to be their backup point guard.
They agreed Tuesday to a veteran's minimum deal with Tyler Ennis for one year with a team option in the second year, according to a person not authorized to speak publicly.
The 22-year-old Ennis, in whom the Lakers maintained interest throughout free agency, was acquired in a trade with the Houston Rockets in February. He averaged 17.8 minutes, 7.7 points and 2.4 assists in 22 games with the Lakers.
Ennis will back up rookie point guard Lonzo Ball. While the Lakers had interest in bringing Ennis back, they explored options to bring in an older player who could serve as a mentor to Ball, whom they drafted second overall after he played one season at UCLA.
They met with George Hill, 31, Rajon Rondo, 31, and Derrick Rose, 28, all of whom signed elsewhere.
