Enes Kanter accepted his player option for the 2018-19 season. Although returning to the New York Knicks was part of Kanter's plan, it's not exactly how he envisioned next season.
Enes Kanter, in an interview with MSG Networks, says of his decision to opt-in and stay with NYK: "I wished I signed even longer but I’m really happy I stayed with the Knicks." Kanter says he understands LeBron's decision to sign w/Lakers but "of course I wish he came to us."
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) July 3, 2018
Kanter's feuded with LeBron James publicly before and most famously while he was in New York. But it appears that the feud was all a big show—at least from Kanter's side.
The Turkish may be a bit of a wild card on the court and on social media, but he's not stupid. Despite their public spats, he would've welcomed him with open arms in New York.
Additionally, Kanter acknowledges that he would love to stay in New York long-term, but that wasn't in the cards during the 2017-18 offseason. If he really wants to stay with the Knicks, he may need to agree to a team-friendly deal when he becomes an unrestricted free agent.
But for the time being, opting into the final year of his deal was the best move for Kanter. Despite his interest in securing a long-term deal that brings added security, it is hard to pass up $18.6 million when it is on the table.
Additionally, Kanter could be setting himself for an even bigger payday than he would have garnered during 2018 free agency. The market for big men has been relatively quiet.
If he can improve defensively and develop any kind of outside shot under the Knicks' new head coach David Fizdale, perhaps New York reconsiders and decides to keep the outspoken big man around.
Kanter's future beyond the 2018-19 season is uncertain, but for the time being, he's happy to call New York his home.
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