After being traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2015, Enes Kanter signed a four-year, $70 million deal in restricted free agency. Since then, Kanter has established himself as one of the better offensive big men coming off the bench.

Heading into the 2017-18 NBA season, all the attention will be on Russell Westbrook and Paul George, who are set to become unrestricted free agents. As Westbrook has not given the Thunder an answer about signing a five-year, $207 million contract extension, George continues to be linked with the Los Angeles Lakers. However, according to Fred Katz of Norman Transcript and CNHI Oklahoma, it would be shocking if Kanter did not pick up his player option:

With Kanter scheduled to make $18.6 million in the final year of his contract, it is difficult seeing any team offering more if he opted for free agency. While numerous centers received massive paydays in free agency two years ago, the market was not too kind to centers this year.

After ridding themselves of Victor Oladipo's four-year, $84 million deal in the George trade, the Thunder also committed to Steven Adams and Andre Roberson on long-term deals. With Kanter expected to opt in, it will be interesting to see if Oklahoma City attempts to cut down on salaries.