New York Knicks: Enes Kanter’s unhappiness receives its spotlight
Enes Kanter’s displeasure with his new role on the New York Knicks has overtaken the team’s past few games.
The New York Knicks have encountered adversity throughout this season. Though given this “developmental” label smacked onto it, issues along the way were expected, including the inexperience of young talent.
This has come at Enes Kanter‘s expense. He was benched for Mitchell Robinson in October and recently returned to a reserve role to make way for Luke Kornet.
Kanter did not take kindly to the latest demotion, however. According to ESPN’s Ian Begley, the Turkish center said he does not understand why the Knicks have shut him down.
"“I just want to go out there and play basketball. I want to win. I don’t know why they’re shutting me down. I just want to go out there and win. It doesn’t matter starter or come off the bench. … I think every player’s job to just go out there and fight every minute on the court. That’s what I want to do. Just want to go out there and just play basketball. So I don’t understand why they’re shutting me down.”"
In two games off the bench, Kanter has played in 14 and 17 minutes, respectively. The former was against the Milwaukee Bucks, when he suffered an injury and was ejected for picking up two technical fouls.
It’s not an ideal situation for Kanter, but a reserve role is not new for him, including backing up Steven Adams on the Oklahoma City Thunder from 2015-17. Those were on winning teams, of course, unlike this Knicks team.
On a team that needs to see what it has for the future, Kanter does not fit into those plans. He opted into an $18.6 million salary for 2018-19, which will officially leave the payroll at season’s end and make him a free agent, opening most of the Knicks’ projected $29 million in cap space.
That’s while Robinson holds a team-friendly contract through 2021-22 and Kornet receives his opportunity, rather than sitting at the end of the bench.
Kanter has played well enough statistically to maintain playing time, averaging 14.3 points and 10.6 rebounds per game. Defensive concerns accompany his game, though, featuring a remarkably low Real Plus-Minus.
Will this continued unhappiness reach a breaking point and force a transaction? Kanter’s salary makes a trade difficult, unless they work with the Chicago Bulls to swap two, high-priced talents that sit in murky situations, making nearly identical money.
The other option is a buyout. That allows Kanter to choose where he goes and join a contending team.
Next. 25 greatest players in NYK history. dark
Kanter’s situation is a potentially combustible one. The New York Knicks have a decision to make, with it not even halfway through the season.