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New York Knicks: Five reasons to love trading for Enes Kanter

By Maxwell Ogden

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 28: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Enes Kanter #11 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in action against Kyle O'Quinn #9 of the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on November 28, 2016 in New York City. The Thunder defeated the Knicks 112-103. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 28: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Enes Kanter #11 of the Oklahoma City Thunder in action against Kyle O'Quinn #9 of the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on November 28, 2016 in New York City. The Thunder defeated the Knicks 112-103. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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DALLAS, TX – MARCH 5: Enes Kanter #11 of the Oklahoma City Thunder handles the ball during a game against the Dallas Mavericks on March 5, 2017 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX – MARCH 5: Enes Kanter #11 of the Oklahoma City Thunder handles the ball during a game against the Dallas Mavericks on March 5, 2017 at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images) /

5. Post Play

Kristaps Porzingis is a gifted shooter who can occasionally go to the post with an arsenal of throwback moves. Aside from second-year big man Willy Hernangomez, however, the New York Knicks don’t have a player who can consistently play with their back to the basket.

By acquiring Enes Kanter, the Knicks have added a player who’s not only capable of backing his man down, but ranks amongst league’s elite in that regard.

Kanter was once a little rigid in the post, but he’s improved his fluidity and footwork as his career has progressed. That should continue to transpire in New York, where he’ll be pushed by Hernangomez in the race for the starting job at center.

If Kanter refuses to remain complacent, then it stands to reason that he could continue developing into one of the best post players in the NBA.

It’s worth noting that, despite averaging just 21.3 minutes per contest in 2016-17, Kanter ranked No. 5 in the NBA in points via post ups per game. He did so on 57.6 percent shooting from the post, which is a higher figure than those amassed by any of the four players ahead of him.

The Knicks have acquired one of the best post players in the NBA, and that alone is reason to be excited about what he can achieve.

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