New York Knicks: What to do with Enes Kanter?
By Brad Wier
New York Knicks center Enes Kanter was a centerpiece of the Carmelo Anthony trade. Should the fan favorite be a part of the long-term future?
Stats: 45 GP, 13.5 PPG, 9.9 RPG, 1.3 APG, 0.6 BPG, .597/.000/.863, PER: 23.82
Impact On The Game
Enes Kanter is currently fourth in the NBA in field goal percentage and offensive rebounds per game, 11th in rebounds per game, and 14th in double-doubles and PER. He’s one of the best rebounders in the league, and plays an old school style of basketball that would’ve made him a featured offensive player in the ’90s.
He is one of the most polished low-post scorers in the league.
His best game of his Knicks’ career came on Christmas day against one of the best centers in the NBA: Joel Embid. Kanter posted 31 points and 22 rebounds in a truly dominating display.
While it’s unreasonable to assume that he could play close to a 20-20 level, he’s a walking double-double when he plays more than 20 minutes.
The reason that Kanter isn’t regarded as one of the top centers in the league is that he’s atrocious on the defensive end of the floor. He ranks 67th out of 73 qualified centers in defensive real plus-minus.
He ranks 24th in estimated wins added, however, which shows how valuable his rebounding is. If he was a better defender, he would no doubt be part of this Knicks team’s long-term future.
Unfortunately, his struggles on defense can’t be overlooked.
The Heart And Soul Of The Team
Enes Kanter is one of the most outspoken players in the NBA. He has spoken out against his home country of Turkey’s government, and defended rookie Frank Ntilikina against LeBron James.
Kanter is a double-double machine and the heart and soul of this team. While it would be sad to see him go, he would likely haul in either a mid or low-end first-round draft pick.
The Knicks already have an Enes Kanter type player in Willy Hernangomez, who’s younger and on a team-friendly contract. He’s loved by his teammates, however, and if he were to be traded, it would have a negative effect on the team’s locker room.
Tradability
Enes Kanter is a rebounding beast who could be a starter on over half the teams in the league. He’ expected to opt out of his current contract, which means he could boost any contender’s center position on an expiring deal.
Teams would value his grit, but most of all, his rebounding creates invaluable second chance scoring opportunities. He could be a huge pickup for any team, but his $17.8 million contract will be hard to match.
The Knicks can only hope that a contender would be interested in him for their playoff push. In that scenario, the Knicks could get a late first-round draft pick and either an expiring contract or low-risk/low-cost player.
One trade partner that makes sense would be the Portland Trail Blazers.
The Trail Blazers have many undesirable contracts, and could use Kanter as an interchangeable force with Jusuf Nurkic while they let Zach Collins develop.
Possible Trade
Knicks Give: Enes Kanter
Knicks Receive: Meyers Leonard and Maurice Harkless
or
Knicks Give: Enes Kanter
Knicks Receive: Evan Turner and Portland’s 2018 first-round draft pick
While some would think a first-round draft pick for Kanter would be too much, the Blazers would love to offload Turner’s contract, and it might take a first-round draft pick to convince a team to take him.
In the first trade, the Knicks targeted Harkless in their Carmelo Anthony talks, and may consider adding him to their 25-and-under vision while building a young core.
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Whatever ends up happening with Enes Kanter at the Feb. 8 trade deadline, it would be hard to see him go. It would also be understandable for the New York Knicks to value defense.