Daily Knicks
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 6
Next
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 16: Enes Kanter #11 of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots the ball against the LA Clippers on January 16, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JANUARY 16: Enes Kanter #11 of the Oklahoma City Thunder shoots the ball against the LA Clippers on January 16, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. Untapped Potential + Fitting The Timeline

The New York Knicks have wholeheartedly embraced a youth movement. At 25 years of age, Enes Kanter fits the bill of a youth movement as a talented offensive player and rebounder who still has room—and time—to improve.

Kanter has shown flashes of legitimate star potential, and the Knicks will now have an opportunity to explore how good he could become.

Kanter’s untapped potential is firmly established by his gaudy per 36 averages. Those numbers translate to 19.1 points, 11.4 rebounds, 4.5 offensive boards, and 1.0 assist on 53.0 percent shooting from the field and 76.8 percent shooting from the free throw line.

Over the past three seasons, those numbers have jumped to 21.6 points, 12.4 rebounds, 4.8 offensive rebounds, and 1.0 assist on a slash line of .544/.298/.788.

When Kanter has been given playing time, he’s consistently produced double-doubles and dominated the offensive glass. He’s a borderline elite pick and roll finisher, has an improving jump shot, and can confidently play from the post.

Considering Kanter has lost considerable weight during the 2017 offseason, it stands to reason that New York could help him realize his potential.

Home/Knicks News