New York Knicks: Pros and cons of trading Enes Kanter to Kings
The New York Knicks reportedly discussed a trade with the Sacramento Kings around Enes Kanter and Zach Randolph. What are the pros and cons of a potential deal?
The 2019 NBA Deadline will arrive soon, and the New York Knicks sit actively on the rumor mill. That’s mostly with Enes Kanter, their disgruntled center. He was linked to the Chicago Bulls for Jabari Parker, per Stefan Bondy of the New York Daily News.
Most prominently, the Knicks discussed a deal with the Sacramento Kings for a package centered on Zach Randolph, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Nothing was imminent at the time.
Kanter-for-Randolph provides positives and negatives for the Knicks, whether expanded upon or not. The same goes for if a third team joins the fray.
If this deal happens, what are its ramifications? Let’s take a look:
Pro: Both sides walk out happy
Kanter already proclaimed his love for the New York Knicks, but just five games into the season, it was clear, he did not stand at the forefront of their future. That’s when head coach David Fizdale removed him from the starting lineup for Mitchell Robinson.
From there, the public statements began from Kanter. Whether on Twitter or in post-game interviews, he was unhappy with the situation and felt that he should start amid the team’s losing.
The latest situation, Luke Kornet, who was benched for most of the season, received a handful of starts over Kanter. That led to a meeting with the front office, per ESPN, which the Turkish center did not request a trade in.
In Sacramento, does Kanter receive a guaranteed starting spot? Maybe not. Willie Cauley-Stein has started all 43 games at center, and there’s little need for both players to start together. Though this provides a veteran backup in a competitive situation, which should keep the 26-year-old satisfied for the rest of the season.
Meanwhile, the Knicks avoid more public discourse and play out a quiet rest of the season. Maybe it’s not a team distraction, but less dissatisfaction with the situation makes this a somewhat smoother ride during troublesome play.