4. Enes Kanter, C
The man trying to take the starting center spot from Willy Hernangomez is Turkish big man Enes Kanter. Kanter was dealt to the New York Knicks in the Carmelo Anthony trade.
There’s no question that Kanter can score the basketball. Last season, while only playing 21.3 minutes per game off the bench for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Kanter averaged 14.3 points and had a field goal percentage of .545.
Kanter is known as one of the most talented low-post scorers in the NBA.
He’s the perfect jolt of energy off the bench for any team. The center had a PER of 23.74—the fifth-highest at his position last season.
Kanter should average double-figures for this Knicks team. However, he has a major flaw. Much like Hernangomez, he’s not a good defender. This is the reason he rode the pine in the playoffs for the Thunder last season.
Kanter is set to make over $17,884,175 this season, with a player option for 2018-19. The Knicks should hope the 25-year-old big man has a very productive season, thus opting out in hopes of a big long-term contract.
Paying Enes Kanter $18 million for 2018-2019 when you have Kristaps Porzingis and Willy Hernangomez on your roster is not ideal, but Kanter may prove his critics wrong.