Why James Ennis Could Be Miami Heat's Biggest Surprise During 2014-15 Season

James Ennis wasn't exactly a heralded prospect.

The Long Beach State product fell to the Atlanta Hawks late in the second round of the 2013 NBA draft. The Miami Heat ultimately traded for Ennis on draft night, but the California native did not make an NBA impact during the 2013-14 season. After salary-cap restrictions prevented Miami from sending him to the D-League, Ennis spent the past year playing in Australia and Puerto Rico.

Despite being a late draft pick and a non-factor during his first potential NBA season, Ennis has the chance to play key minutes for Miami in 2014-15.

Ennis was a flat-out stud during the 2014 summer league sessions in Orlando and Vegas. Ennis was by far Miami's best player, displaying the athleticism, length and shooting ability that made him successful in college. 

In six summer games, Ennis averaged 15.5 points (51.7% FG, 48.1% 3PT), 5.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game.

A result of his Summer League play and the Heat's lack of wing options, Ennis entered this preseason as a player to watch.

The 24-year-old has not disappointed. 

Through five games, he's averaging 13.2 points (54.2% FG, 45.5% 3P), 4.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.5 steals.

Ennis has had a few monster games, including a 14-point, 10-rebound, five-assist performance against the Orlando Magic.

However, even in games when Ennis hasn't stuffed the stat sheet, he's been able to make a difference. Ennis took just one shot against the Golden State Warriors in Miami's fifth preseason game, yet still finished with the game with a team-best +/- of +15, as pointed out by Couper Moorhead of NBA.com. 

Ennis isn't a finished product. His handles in particular need work. But he's already showing that he has many of the tools to be a successful NBA wing player, as Chris Bosh told Shandel Richardson of the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

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"We needed an injection of young talent," center Chris Bosh said. "I think with James we've found a diamond in the rough. His athletic ability, his shooting and his playmaking ability is second to none. He has a tremendous upside. He's going to help us a lot as long as he continues to develop."

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Even with the support of Bosh, Ennis' role on Miami is far from set. Coach Erik Spoelstra was unwilling to guarantee a rotation role for Ennis when speaking about the wing player to Ira Winderman of the Sun Sentinel after the Heat's second preseason game.

He's still just 24 years old, and the Heat haven't really shown a desire to rely on many young players in recent years.

But there's a strong argument to be made that Ennis is simply showing too much at this point for to leave him out of the rotation to start the season. His ability to defend, do damage in transition and knock down open jumpers would surely be welcome on this team. 

If given the opportunity, Ennis has the chance to be a true difference-maker for Miami as a reserve playing behind Luol Deng at the 3.

The question is: Does Spoelstra give him the opportunity?