2019 NBA Trade Deadline: 5 veterans that could help playoff teams
5. Enes Kanter
Enes Kanter has been a topic of conversation for a few weeks now, although none of the talking points is very positive.
Following a move to the bench, Kanter went public with his feelings on the matter. He tried to give reasons that were more team-oriented, but those able to read between the lines understood that heading into free agency, he was upset at the lack of touches he’d receive moving forward.
Among other things, Kanter was then linked to trade rumors involving the Sacramento Kings, and finally, after a tremendous cheat day of burgers and fries, he’d go on to miss the next two games with what was reported as an illness. Call it a happy coincidence.
Enes Kanter weighs in on whether his illness 10 days ago was from his cheat day and eating 7 burgers like he said he did on Instagram:
— Mike Vorkunov (@MikeVorkunov) January 20, 2019
"It was not burgers. Well I ate a lot of burgers that night. It was the flu." Says compounded by the flight from West coast and little sleep.
Despite all his baggage, Kanter has still managed to be a productive inside presence for the New York Knicks, averaging 14.4 points and 11.0 rebounds in under 30 minutes per game.
Should he be your team’s starting center? Due to his lack of spacing and defensive acumen, probably not. But this is a guy capable of dominating the restricted area while forcing opposing big men to exert incredible amounts of energy in order to keep him off the glass.
He finished third in the Sixth Man of the Year voting in 2016 with the Oklahoma City Thunder, a sign that he can be productive as a member of the second unit. A change of scenery to a franchise competing for wins could be exactly what Kanter needs to revitalize both his effort and attitude.