Slash Line: .533/.300/.829
Week 6 Averages: 13.8 PPG, 13.3 RPG, 3.0 APG, 0.5 SPG, 1.0 BPG, 0.3 3PM, 51.1 percent shooting
Season Averages: 15.2 PPG, 12.0 RPG, 2.2 APG, 0.4 SPG, 0.5 BPG, 0.1 3PM
After leading the second unit for three weeks, Kanter returned to the starting lineup for the New York Knicks. He opened all four games of Week 6 and not only delivered three double-doubles, but a career performance along the way.
Against the Memphis Grizzlies, the Turkish big man had 21 points and a career-high 26 rebounds to combat Grit and Grind and keep the Knicks ahead of Marc Gasol, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Kyle Anderson in the frontcourt.
The gaudy line gave Kanter 13.8 points and 13.3 rebounds for the week. Season-wise, he’s at a current career-high in points and rebounds.
It’s in a contract season, so extra motivation potentially exists for that next contract, whether in New York or somewhere else. He may not recover an $18.6 million salary again, but someone may provide a multi-year deal next offseason.
Before that, Kanter will remain the Knicks’ starting center. As long as Mitchell Robinson deals with foul trouble, it should keep the frontcourt depth chart constant, for now. Fizdale may turn to youth later this season, or after the next losing streak, but it remains an opportunity for the 26-year-old to capitalize on.