Report: Enes Kanter most likely to opt out, test free agency

https://www.celticsblog.com/2020/10/12/21513832/report-enes-kanter-most-likely-to-opt-out-boston-celtics-nba-free-agency



Report: Enes Kanter most likely to opt out, test free agency


Enes Kanter’s tenure in Boston might be brief.


By Greg Dudek

Oct 12, 2020, 10:35pm EDT



Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images



Signs are pointing toward Enes Kanter not being on the Boston Celtics roster once next season starts up.

According to Jared Weiss of The Athletic, there is an increasing likelihood that Kanter, who has a $5 million player option on his current deal, will opt out of his contract and test the free agent market after spending just one season playing for the Celtics.

Jay King
@ByJayKing
I worked on a story with @jaredweissnba.

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There are a myriad of factors working against Kanter coming back for another season with Boston that Weiss lays out.

Kanter, who had his minutes cut down to just 9.3 per game in the playoffs, could see his limited role continue if he was to stay with the C’s, especially with the organization looking to give more minutes and responsibility to Robert Williams and Grant Williams.

Weiss added that Kanter at this stage of his career — Kanter has played nine seasons in the NBA on five different teams — is seeking a multi-year contract and could find a landing spot where he could maximize his political efforts, such as Washington, New York or Chicago, or take his talents to a warmer weather city.

Weiss does allow for the possibility that Kanter could exercise the player option on his deal with the Celtics, but that would come with Kanter realizing that the Celtics would try to trade him around the draft.

While abysmal playing pick-and-roll defense, Kanter was a proven commodity for the Celtics as he could provide instant interior scoring off the bench. Kanter averaged 8.1 points per game during the regular season and showcased his rebounding prowess, especially on the offensive end, to grab 7.4 rebound per contest.

From his opening press conference, Kanter brought a light-hearted attitude to the team that won him over not only in the locker room, but with Celtics fans as well.

But despite all the positives Kanter brings, it seems his tenure in Boston will last just the one year.


Bob
MY NOTE: Would Kanter get more money if he opts out? I don't know. He's very limited in range offensively and is just a God-Awful pnr defender. This would answer some of the questions about whether RWill can become a regular rotation player. Danny should try to work a trade involving Kanter. Easier said than done now.


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This really does not surprise me. I know the money is ok for him to stay, but the playing time got less and less. This could be a blessing in disguise. He was a good teammate, I am sure some of the guys will be sorry to see him go, but, oood luck to him, He may regret this unless he already knows there is someone out there ready to sign him. It seemed like a good signing at the time, and he had a few really good games, but his defense was horrendous .

He wants to go back to OKC to open up a school or something. Would they sign him for a backup??

Well this is interesting and comes within 4 minutes of my trade RW post.

Kanter is looking to kick the ball up the street for a multi year deal.  

So does this change my opinion about trading RW?   No it does not.  RW has little chance of being successful in Boston.  He needs be on a team with a coach that knows how to use him.

Robert Williams is just getting his feet wet. I'd rather trade Brad Stevens.( Yes , I know that's not going to happen.) I don't see him having great trade value, anyway. It took a while for guys like Avery Bradley to develop. Injuries slowed his development , too. Respectfully disagree about jettisoning Williams. Maybe if we got Myles Turner. Haven't seen your trade proposal, dboss, so I might be persuaded.

That kid is good, but he is also hurt constantly. He has a bad back, and all those dunks are not helping him when he comes down and lands on his back over and over. I love his athleticism but It there is something out there better, ??? The kid looks lost out there at times, you have to admit that dboss.

RosalieTCeltics wrote:That kid is good, but he is also hurt constantly.  He has a bad back, and all those dunks are not helping him when he comes down and lands on his back over and over.  I love his athleticism but It there is something out there better, ???  The kid looks lost out there at times, you have to admit that dboss.  

I admit that the whole team looks lost out there at times when RW is not in the game.  His back is no more of a concern of mine than the surgically repaired GH ankle or the gimpy Walker knee or the  I broke something else, RL.

We need an upgrade at center yesterday.  If the Celtics can find that I would be happy.  If they keep RW that is okay too.  But I just have zero confidence that he will get the proper coaching and I also despise Brad's offense because it is pretty one dimensional when all is said and done.

I too don’t have confidence Brad can develop RWill which is a shame. RWill obviously has a lot to work on, but another coach or staff could do wonders with him IMHO.

I hope Kanter opts in with the knowledge that Danny will trade him to a team that will give him minutes.

we need that $5M salary to match in trades.

With all of the players that have greatly developed under Coach Stevens and his staff, I doubt that Robert Williams will not continue to improve although he may never become a three point shooter or ever find a way to stay healthy.

He will continue to grow physically and mentally in Boston as well as he will any other place. He is a 'small' center, and no other coach will be able to help him grow to 7 feet which is where he would become a quality NBA player with even his current skill levels.

How many guys have gotten better after leaving the Cs since Stevens has been in charge?  Trying to look back, I can say that Baynes stayed the same (one year in Arizona) and lots of others have tended to regress as productive players. With that said, I very much like keeping Rob Williams.

wideclyde wrote:With all of the players that have greatly developed under Coach Stevens and his staff, I doubt that Robert  Williams will not continue to improve although he may never become a three point shooter.

He will continue to grow physically and mentally in Boston as well as he will any other place.

How many guys have gotten better after leaving the Cs since Stevens has been in charge?  trying to look back, I can say that Baynes stayed the same and lots of others have tended to regress as productive players.

Clyde,

Yep.

IT was an MVP candidate when he was here playing for Brad.  He wasn't even close in Sacto and Phoenix before he came here.  Injuries have hampered him but, still, not the same.

Evan Turner was the #2 pick in the draft.  Had an uninspiring career in Philly (ergo the trade to Indy) and resurrected his career and landed a big payday in Portland after 2 years under Brad.  He has regressed in Portland under Terry Stotts and Stotts is a good coach.

Al Horford.  He might not have been what he was when he was younger by the time he came to us but he has really declined since leaving.  I don't think it's physical, it's because of how he has been used.  That also gives credit to Brad for using him right.

Brandon Bass, Jerryd Bayless.  Both declined after being here.  Remember Mr. Herky-Jerky, Jordan Crawford?  What happened to him after he left?

Scary Terry.  Drafted by Brad, earned a nice paycheck in NC.  Not what I would call a real NBA starting guard.  Not here, not there.

Were there some whiffs?  Sure.  The Dancing Bear and James Young just to name two, but lets not forget about the advances made by players like Tatum and Brown.  Did we expect them to grow?  Absolutely, they were both #3 picks, expectations are much higher for them, but they have advanced.  In Jaylen's case, in particular, he came in as a defensive specialist with limited outside shooting.  Can't say that about him anymore, can we? That's the growth we're talking about.


bob


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Brad has not had any significant developmental impact on any bigs that he has coached.

The biggest issue I have with Brad as it relates to a guy like RW is that Brad with all his acumen for the X's and O's has yet to put him in the offense.  Williams has the ability to score at a very high percentage.  He is not going to be a stretch guy but he can and will score in the post if Brad designed some plays for him.  

Brad's offense is a 3 point offense.  

So the issue associated with developing a guy like Rob is to first integrate him into the offense instead of just making him play up top in screen and handoff situations.  You have to run plays specifically that gets him the ball in situation where he can use his skills to score.  

This is the main reason why I do not think that Brad is a good enough coach for all positions especially a big that is not bombing away from behind the arc.

I remember when Rondo turned Zeller into a guy that could score in the low post.   Remember that?  Brad Stevens had nothing to do with that.  That was all Rondo and his ability to run an offense and get the weakest link great looks.

Our point guards are average passers.  So we need Brad to design plays to get better scoring opportunities at the rim.

worcester wrote:If Kanter opts out, does not that free up $5M in cap space for us anyways?

no

we are at around $140M or more in salaries next year not including holds for the Rookies and Wanamaker

so Hayward could opt out and we would still be over the supposedly $109M cap next season.

we have the MLE for Free agents and vet minimum salary's only.

kdp59 wrote:

worcester wrote:If Kanter opts out, does not that free up $5M in cap space for us anyways?

no

we are at around $140M or more in salaries next year not including holds for the Rookies and Wanamaker

so Hayward could opt out and we would still be over the supposedly $109M cap next season.

we have the MLE  for Free agents and vet minimum salary's only.

Even if this is wrong, why would Kanter agree to this? He's not leaving because he hates it here. He'd be leaving for more money. If he opts in @ $5M he'll get the same money as here, so he might as well choose where he plays.


Bob


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Totally agree Bob. He was a good soldier, tried, was an excellent teammate, and did what we all knew he could do. He came here with flaws, so be it. If I remember correctly, there were not many who screamed and yelled when he was signed. On to another team, good luck to him. He is not throwing darts as he leaves, he just wants to play more. That is why this decision did not surprise me.