Enes Kanter has until Friday to either opt in or out of the final year of his contract with the New York Knicks. Several teams were said to be interested in his services, were he to become a free agent. However, it sounds like he's leaning towards opting in.
According to a report from ESPN's Ian Begley, Kanter will continue to survey his options right up to the deadline. Unless there are major changes around the league, the Turkish big man is expected to opt in.
Enes Kanter is leaning heavily toward opting in to his $18.6 million player option for 2018-19, per ESPN sources. Kanter will continue to survey the market until his Friday deadline but, barring an unforeseen significant change in the market, he will opt-in, per ESPN sources.
— Ian Begley (@IanBegley) June 28, 2018
Kanter, now 26 years of age, played a big role for the Knickerbockers last season. In his 71 games played, the former No. 3 overall pick (2011) racked up averages of 14.1 points on 59.2 percent shooting from the field, 11.0 rebounds, and 1.5 assists.
Kanter has said that he likes playing for the Knicks, noting that the fans have welcomed him with open arms. If he indeed opts in (as this report suggests) and returns to the team, he'd make the $18.6 million he's owed next season. If he decides to opt out, the Knicks would have a cap hold of $27.9 million next season.
The Knicks could go over the salary cap to re-sign Kanter if he opts out, but that doesn't seem likely, as they seem to be keeping an eye on cap space. If he opts out and the team renounces his rights, his contract would be off the books.
Via Chris Iseman of northjersey.com:
“I think after I came it was amazing because everybody opened their arms,” Kanter said in March. “They welcomed me. The organization and everything was so nice and amazing. I just feel so comfortable.”
Kanter has also noted that the addition of head coach David Fizdale makes him want to stick around even more.
“With Coach Fizdale, I want to stay more,’’ Kanter told The Post in a phone interview Monday night. “I know his mentality, I know how much freedom he gives to his players. It’s going to help my decision for sure. I think he’s going to change a lot of things. He seems like a relationship with him is like a friendship relationship. It’s not a player-coach relationship. I talked to him for two hours and it gives you so much confidence.’’
Which decision Kanter will make is still up for debate, but it sounds like he's leaning towards staying. Be sure to keep your browsers locked on ClutchPoints for more updates on this topic as they become available.
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