New York Knicks: Projecting the preseason opener’s starting lineup

Center: Enes Kanter

Perhaps the formality of the group, Enes Kanter is the only option for the New York Knicks at center, unless Joakim Noah shockingly returns to the team before the season begins, which seems impossible. 

Kanter returned to the Knicks after exercising his player option for 2018-19. At $18.62 million, even with Noah’s inevitable buyout, it placed him at the top of the organization’s payroll, but it’s not a factor since the only available center depth is the journeyman Vonleh, the inexperienced Mitchell Robinson and the relatively unknown Luke Kornet.

As a prototypical five for seven years, Kanter worked under the basket and rarely took three-points in that stretch, with 45 as his career-high in attempts in 2014-15. He took just two last year.

Despite that, for Fizdale’s tenure, he wants more outside shots from the Turkish big man, as noted at Monday’s media day. If a success, that opens the offense to find its groove after a bottom-six placement in three-point percentage under Hornacek and intrigue for a career year.

So there’s little to no doubt of Kanter’s role to open the preseason and on opening night. Of course that’s only speculation, but it would be an upset if it trends another direction for the paint-patroling position.