New York Knicks, Enes Kanter must cut ties soon for the sake of both sides

There’s no reason for the New York Knicks to keep Enes Kanter on their roster much longer, for the sake of both parties.

Enes Kanter’s days with the New York Knicks seem more numbered than ever. A talk with head coach David Fizdale determined the 26-year-old’s placement behind Mitchell Robinson and Luke Kornet in the rotation, citing the need to develop both young big men.

It’s a checkpoint in this steadily declining relationship between the Knicks and Kanter, which started in a demotion to back up Robinson in October, five games into the season. The veteran returned to the starting spot, only to lose it, again, but for Kornet’s opportunity.

Now, with Kanter expressing his displeasure for the second time in three weeks, it’s time to end this partnership, for the sake of both the player and the Knicks.

New York already had Kanter in trade talks, including the Chicago Bulls and Sacramento Kings. Both teams are optimal suitors for the salaries they can move, or assume, in a deal.

That’s not the crux of the issue, though. It’s separating Kanter and the Knicks sooner than later, as the situation takes a left-handed turn publicly.

As Kanter potentially misses games via coach’s decision, it’s fair to expect more public comments. That’s obviously no good for what the Knicks are trying to build in this “developmental” year, even with less than half the season left. It can lead to criticism of the coaching staff or the front office while employed by the team.

Will this impact the Knicks’ perception in free agency? Maybe not, with this season having a clear-cut identity, but risking what this organization is trying to build, compared to previous regimes, should provide an incentive to cut ties imminently.

Via trade proves difficult if talks with the Bulls and Kings fell apart. That leaves a buyout as the main option to remove Kanter from the roster. Rather than heading somewhere undesired, he can leave and sign with anyone as contenders seek bench upgrades. Maybe just as a backup, but a situation that better suits his interests to play and win.

The Knicks can keep Kanter for the rest of the season, but what are the positives? He wants playing time, and New York has its eye on Robinson and Kornet to play meaningful minutes, leading to the Turkish center’s absences increasing over the final three months and more public unhappiness over this situation.

What’s clear is Kanter playing elsewhere in 2019-20. His $18.6 million salary creates most of the Knicks’ cap space for the summer, providing the necessary money to attempt a chase at one of free agency’s top names.

The NBA Trade Deadline is just over two weeks away, and the New York Knicks have eight games to play and handle this situation. In this span, it would be best for both sides to part ways, whether via trade or buyout, and not wait beyond this, for the sake of the team.