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Enes Kanter's benching for young Luke Kornet has brought its share of mixed feelings in the locker room, as some veterans have started to resent the New York Knicks organization for an outright desire to make the most of their young players this early in the season. Having addressed rumors of a trade request, Kanter shared an intimate conversation with GM Scott Perry, which he had after being informed of the decision to bench him for the foreseeable future.
“I even asked Scott, if you were in my situation, what would you do?’’ Kanter said, according to Marc Berman of The New York Post. “He said, ‘the whole league knows you. Right now, we know that you are a very, very good basketball player. Now I want you to go out there and try to have that good character, try to be a good teammate, and try to help all the people.’ I understand we’re not winning a lot right now. But I guess it’s all for the young guys.”
The Knicks are unlikely to keep Kanter beyond this season, given the money he will command (making $18.6 million this season) and the organization's hefty free agency plans to acquire at least one max-level star to play alongside Kristaps Porzingis.
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Kanter has been known as an eager competitor, but has made angry comments to the media this past week after being benched. The Knicks center clarified where his feelings are coming from and what his aim is moving forward.
“All this anger and frustration is coming from losing,’’ Kanter said. “It’s not fun to lose 12, 13, whatever in a row. It’s not fun. It’s just tough, man. But obviously I had a meeting with Scott [Monday]. We talked about — he just said, ‘You know, this is the growth. This is one of your biggest tests in your career, so just try to be a good teammate.’
“That’s what I’ve been trying to do. Just help the young guys and try to be the best teammate you can be. So that’s what I’m trying to do. This organization is paying me. I don’t want no free money. So every time I’m out there I’m going to try to get a win. The second is just it’s a little weird, people are calling me from all over the league. They’re just saying keep your head up and stay strong. Even my own teammates are texting me and telling me just stay strong and keep your head up. I know what I’m capable of. I know this is the situation so I’m just sucking it up and trying to be a good teammate.”
Kanter recently posted a 17-point, 12-rebounds double-double in 20 minutes off the bench, yet his individual prowess is unlikely to matter much, as the Knicks have lost eight in a row and 13 of their last 14 games in this season.
