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Knicks Trade Rumors: Five potential destinations for Enes Kanter

By Rob Wolkenbrod

DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 01: Enes Kanter #00 of the New York Knicks plays the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center on January 01, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - JANUARY 01: Enes Kanter #00 of the New York Knicks plays the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center on January 01, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.(Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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New York Knicks Enes Kanter Tyson Chandler (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
New York Knicks Enes Kanter Tyson Chandler (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

With teams inquiring on Enes Kanter, who makes sense for the New York Knicks to potentially trade him to?

Per Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic (subscription required), the New York Knicks have received trade inquiries on Enes Kanter, although no deal is imminent. It’s the result of a delicate, developing situation of unhappiness for a reduced role in head coach David Fizdale’s rotation.

Kanter began the season as the starting center, before moving to the bench for Mitchell Robinson. The decision was reverted, only for Luke Kornet to receive his starting opportunity in December.

The Knicks have until Feb. 7, the NBA Trade Deadline, to send Kanter elsewhere. If that passes without a transaction, he can receive a buyout.

Hypothetically, which teams potentially match up for Kanter? Who has the space to fit his salary and send back the necessary capital? Let’s take a look:

Honorable mention: New Orleans Pelicans

If the New Orleans Pelicans were desperate enough to put another player aside Anthony Davis, they can upgrade their frontcourt depth. It would force the Knicks to take Solomon Hill‘s contract through 2019-20, but is that and a future pick worth it? Would New Orleans even take this, before trying Hill’s $12.25 million in another deal?

5. Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks already have DeAndre Jordan implanted as the starting center, so that will not change. What about depth behind him, however?

Kanter slides into Dallas as a more than formidable backup, especially as Salah Mejri mostly rides the bench and Dirk Nowitzki nears the end of the line. They do not necessarily need the Turkish big man, but he would upgrade their bench.

Salary wise, Wesley Matthews‘ $18.6 million matches perfectly to Kanter’s money.

The Mavericks, of course, lose their shooting guard in this transaction, which complicates the logic behind it. That’s unless this becomes a three-team deal or Tim Hardaway Jr. joins it to make a bigger transaction, but also provides more hiccups to accomplishing something.

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