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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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Enes Kanter
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 /

From Kanter’s Perspective:

The teams aren’t the only ones affected, however. Since arriving in Oklahoma City, Kanter has gotten his wish of taking on more responsibility — despite Steven Adams playing meaningful minutes off the bench as a defensive stopper.

The basic numbers from his first 13 games with the Thunder show how much he’s enjoyed the transition. It’s a small sample size, but the improvement has been rapid and substantial:

  • Utah Jazz Kanter: 27.1 MPG, 13.8 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 0.5 APG, 2.4 FTA, 49.1 FG%
  • Oklahoma City Kanter: 29.2 MPG, 15.2 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 1.2 APG, 4.4 FTA, 53.4 FG%

With the Jazz, Kanter was attempting 0.8 three-pointers per game and only converting them at a 31.7 percent clip. With the Thunder, he’s stayed in the post where he belongs (at this stage in his career), which might explain the superior field goal percentage and the uptick in trips to the free throw line.

Playing with Russell Westbrook, one of the most underrated assist men in the league, certainly doesn’t hurt his chances at getting easy looks in the paint either. The two have already developed some great chemistry out of the pick and roll, giving the Thunder some much-needed offense with their former MVP still sidelined.

Since being relegated back to the restricted area, Kanter has also developed into quite a double-double threat. In 49 games with the Jazz this season, Kanter had 14 double-doubles.

In only 13 games in Oklahoma City, he already has seven. He’s a disappointing shot blocker for his size, but Kanter’s value has always been on the offensive end.

The Jazz are a young team with a promising future, but they’re not even going to make the playoffs this season. The Thunder, on the other hand, could be a dark horse contender in the Western Conference if Kevin Durant gets back on the court soon. OKC loves what Kanter brings to the table and will want to keep him this summer.

Kanter may have a number of offseason suitors, and it will be interesting to see what path the Thunder take since they’ve historically been a cheap team that shies away from the luxury tax as often as possible. But Kanter’s time with the Thunder is undoubtedly boosting his summer value and it’s also given him the chance at increased responsibility like he wanted all along.

Next: From Gobert's Perspective