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Enes Kanter Trade Working Out For Him And The Jazz

By Gerald Bourguet

Mar 13, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (34) dunks the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 13, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (34) dunks the ball against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the first quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 8, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (34) reacts after a play against the Toronto Raptors during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports /

From Oklahoma City’s Perspective:

After seeing such a massive turnaround for the Jazz, you’d be tempted to think Kanter is a horrible player. But the truth is, it’s possible to trade a good player and have it work out for both sides. So far, it’s looking like that’s the case, and the Oklahoma City Thunder are certainly glad for it.

Steven Adams is a tremendous defensive center, but he missed a few games with injury and his offensive game is nowhere near polished enough to make him a consistent scoring threat inside. By acquiring Kanter, the Thunder decided they were good enough defensively and needed some help on the other end. That’s no surprise with Kevin Durant dealing with his foot issues, and so far you can see the positive effects.

OKC’s plus/minus has gone from +2.6 (11th) before the Kanter trade to +4.5 (seventh) afterward. Their offensive rating improved from 102.6 (16th) to 107.5 (fourth) and though an 8-5 record doesn’t leap off the page, OKC also improved from 43.2 points in the paint per game (12th) to 46.9 per game (fifth) since the addition of Kanter.

Kanter’s arrival has also bolstered OKC’s already elite rebounding presence, pairing him with Steven Adams to form the “Bruise Brothers.” Since the trade, the Thunder are the NBA’s leader in rebounds per game (51.5) and offensive rebounding percentage (30.8). With Serge Ibaka out for the time being, Kanter, Adams and Mitch McGary will be extremely important on OKC’s front line.

That’s not to say the trade has been perfect, however. The Thunder’s defense has taken a definitive hit since switching from Adams to Kanter as the full-time starter. Before the deal, Oklahoma City was surrendering 100.2 points per game (18th) and 101.0 points per 100 possessions (10th) while averaging 6.1 blocks per game (second).

Since Kanter joined the squad, those numbers have dropped to 106.9 points per game (29th), 105.0 points per 100 possessions (25th) and 5.9 blocks per game (seventh). That’s right, folks! Kanter is a great boost offensively, but the adverse effect of his arrival has been turning the Thunder into a bottom-five defense so far.

Next: From Kanter's Perspective