The Houston Rockets have sent James Ennis to the Philadelphia 76ers in exchange for rights to swap a 2021 second-round pick, according to Shams Charania of The Athletic.

The move will help the Rockets get closer to avoiding the luxury tax, saving $2.4 million with it and putting themselves below the luxury tax threshold. Houston started the season with a projected tax bill of $14.6 million, according to ESPN Insider Bobby Marks.

The Rockets will also create a $1.6 million trade exception in the deal, now boasting trade exceptions of $2.6 million, two of $1.5 million and another for $955,000 along with the latest for Ennis.

Houston recently acquired Iman Shumpert in a three-team trade, which made Ennis expendable, as both players have very similar skill sets.

Shumpert was brought in to give them a defensive boost and also a slight push with their 3-point shooting, staying true to Daryl Morey's three-and-D biblical philosophy.

Ennis will give Philadelphia a much-needed defender for its second unit after depleting part of their bench in a blockbuster trade for Tobias Harris. His ability to make a difference in a second unit will be well-served under coach Brett Brown, who is hoping to fine-tune this roster before heading into the playoffs.