NBA Trade News: Thunder determined to trade Enes Kanter this offseason
The Oklahoma City Thunder front office will try its best to move Enes Kanter this offseason, according to several reports. Russell Westbrook & Co. suffered a 4-1 first-round series defeat to the Houston Rockets in the ongoing 2017 NBA Playoffs.
Since the Thunder are nearly capped out for the 2017-18 season, they would struggle to add a potential second All-Star to pair with Westbrook unless they get rid of Kanter's US$17.9 million (AU$23.9 million) salary. After Westbrook agreed to a three-year extension last summer (third year Player Option), the Thunder signed Steven Adams and Victor Oladipo to lucrative, four-year contracts. They now have approximately US$110 million (AU$147 million) committed in salaries for next year, giving them little flexibility to sign anyone else.
Thunder general manager Sam Presti is admittedly due for a busy offseason as he tries to give Westbrook a more competitive team for next season. "Will we go out and look at every opportunity? Yes, we will. Because, you know, that's what we've done over the course of time. But unless somebody is willing to give us exactly what we want, for limited return or for return that we feel comfortable with, we have no alternative other than to continue to be head down, sleeves up, working to get better with this group of players," Presti was quoted as saying by The Oklahoman.
Enes Kanter trade: Thunder seeking backcourt player?
According to the report, the Thunder will seek a backcourt player in exchange for Kanter, who is owed approximately US$$35 million (AU$47 million) over the next two seasons if he picks up his 2018-19 Player Option. "Kanter absolutely is on the trading block, not because the Thunder has grown disenchanted with Enes the Menace, but because he's got some value and OKC is overstocked on big men. The Thunder absolutely is in the market for a backup point guard," OKC insider Berry Tramel wrote in his report.
Besides Adams, Kanter, Westbrook and Oladipo, the likes of Alex Abrines, Josh Huestis, Doug McDermott, Domantas Sabonis and Kyle Singler have guaranteed contracts for next season. The Thunder have a Team Option on Jerami Grant and will have to take a call on free agents Norris Cole, Nick Collison and Taj Gibson. Andre Roberson is a Restricted Free Agent who could receive lucrative offer sheets from elsewhere. There's a likelihood that Thunder match offer sheets for Roberson since it won't count against the salary cap.
Enes Kanter is already prepared for the inevitable. "It's not in my hands (if I get traded). If it happens, it happens. I can't really control it. It's not in my hands." The Thunder would find plenty of takers for a possible Enes Kanter trade. The offensive-minded big man averaged 14.3 points and 6.7 rebounds from 72 regular season games. Stay tuned for the latest NBA Trade News and updates surrounding NBA Free Agency 2017.
