Slash Line: .574/.333/.929
Season Averages: 19.0 PPG, 12.3 RPG, 2.3 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.3 BPG, 0.3 3PM
Year Two for Enes Kanter in a New York Knicks uniform is a contract season, so his play from start to finish will impact the next salary someone—whether it’s the Knicks or another organization—provides.
So far, the Turkish center has provided everything necessary towards a stock boost. That’s with a double-double in all four games for New York, including 29 points and 10 rebounds against the Nets on Oct. 19.
Each game saw Kanter score at least 14 points and dish two assists, as well, to make his impact consistent and act as an active player under the rim. It may not result in consistent defensive results (0.3 blocks per game) but, for a New York team with questions across the board, this is at least a stable piece for the team to rely on.
Kanter even followed up on the three-point aspirations, which Fizdale wanted him to work on in the offseason. He took one attempt in Brooklyn, but two against the Boston Celtics, one of which was made. It was his first made three-pointer since his stint with the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2016-17.
Look for another stat sheet-stuffer line from Kanter in the second week, as he makes an impression on the coaching staff and moves this double-double streak forward.