This offseason for the Thunder has been all about three primary players: Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook, and Steven Adams. While all the talk has been about those three and how their choices will affect the team moving forward, one Thunder superstar has gone unnoticed: Enes Kanter.
Kanter might not play the same position as Durant did and he might not even start, but it will be his job to fill Durant's shoes. Kanter is now the second most talented player on the offensive end for OKC and he will have to step up his game to rack up the points.
The great thing for the Thunder about this situation is that Kanter does have the ability to do everything they need from him.
When Kanter first joined OKC back in the 2014-15 season, he was a dominating center like the team had never seen before. That season, Kanter averaged 18.7 points and 11.0 rebounds a game. Compare that to DeMarcus Cousins, a man who many believe is the currently the best center in the NBA, and Kanter looks like he is right up there. For his career, Cousins averages 20.2 points and 10.8 rebounds a game, not too much higher than what Kanter was able to do that first season with the Thunder.
Now I can understand feeling like this is all crazy talk. Kanter's performance was much lower this past season, so how can he rejuvenate himself and find his old game?
Well here's the key: Kevin Durant is gone. When Kanter was playing with the Thunder back in 2014-15, Durant was absent for practically every game with his foot injury. That absence gave him the opportunity to become Russell Westbrook's running mate, something he will have the chance to do again this season.
On top of being Russell Westbrook's running mate, if Kanter does not start, then the bench will more than likely run through him. OKC can have Payne running the floor with Kanter while also opening up space for Anthony Morrow. Kanter will no longer have to compete with Dion Waiters to get shots for the second unit. He will be able to get down low, put up boards, and get the majority of the points.
If everything goes right for the Thunder and Enes Kanter, he should go out this season and put up numbers like he did back in 2014-15. Kanter is still young at 24, and he has the potential to become one of the deadliest big men on the court. If Kanter finishes next season averaging around 15 points and 10 rebounds, then it should surprise no one. The Thunder center has the ability, and now he has the right circumstances.
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