New York Knicks: Five other trade candidates before 2019 deadline

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - DECEMBER 29: Enes Kanter #00 and Emmanuel Mudiay #1 of the New York Knicks sit on the bench late in their 129-97 loss to the Utah Jazz in the second half of a NBA game at Vivint Smart Home Arena on December 29, 2018 in Salt Lake City, Utah. 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 Gene Sweeney Jr./Getty Images) /

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New York Knicks Enes Kanter (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) /

3. Enes Kanter

Another player that outlasted the Porzingis trade, Enes Kanter is still with the New York Knicks, somehow, after all the issues of the past three-plus months. The unhappiest player in the Big Apple survived over half the season and this franchise-altering move, only to continue sitting on the bench.

Kanter’s situation has focused on playing time, bouncing between the starting lineup and a reserve role, in favor of Mitchell Robinson and Luke Kornet. Now, he’s at the end of the rotation, playing behind these two and Jordan.

Before Sunday’s game which the three acquisitions debuted, Kanter said he would feel “disrespected” if Jordan played ahead of him. Of course, that happened, so the Turkish center became the focus, again.

With 72 hours before the trade deadline, it should make Kanter the next man up to move, right? Probably, if not for the $18.6 million owed that complicates almost any trade, unless it’s to Sacramento or Chicago for Jabari Parker.

Otherwise, this is New York’s second buyout candidate. They could relinquish two players making around a combined $40 million before Mar. 1. To get past the inevitable, it makes sense to happen just hours or minutes after the trade deadline. It’s a “developmental” season, and there’s no reason to take minutes from the young players that factor into the future.

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