NBA Trade Rumors: 3 teams that should make a move for Enes Kanter this month

Enes Kanter was traded to the New York Knicks 18 months ago as part of the trade that took Carmelo Anthony to Oklahoma City, however, Kanter has started just 23 times this season, and is playing just 26.3 minutes per game. Nevertheless, the 26-year-old is still averaging a double-double, and Kanter is a proven force on the offensive end.

Nevertheless, the Knicks are currently looking to trade away Enes Kanter, and the Turkish star is almost certain to leave the franchise before the February deadline. Kanter's contract expires in the summer, and the Knicks are currently focusing on giving minutes to younger members of their roster.

Teams around the NBA won't be willing to give too much up for a player who will become an unrestricted free agent this summer, although there is a lack of quality currently available in the trade market, and here we will look at three teams that should make a move for Enes Kanter.

#3 Sacramento Kings

The Sacramento Kings have been one of the surprises of the season so far. Heading into the 2018/19 season, the Kings were expected to be quickly cut adrift from a crowded playoff-chasing pack, however, the team currently boasts a 23-21 record, and are only half a game back from the 8th seeded Jazz.

The Kings are also one of the few teams in the NBA that has a significant amount of cap space available, and a short term move for Kanter could work out. So far this season, Willie Cauley-Stein has been the Kings starting center, although Kanter has put up better numbers, despite playing fewer minutes. While Kanter may not replace the 25-year-old in the starting lineup, the center would certainly provide the Kings with a viable second option from the bench.

#2 Los Angeles Lakers

Enes Kanter is evidently not the All-Star player that the Los Angeles Lakers want to sign, although the Turkish center could provide a boost to Luke Walton's team until the end of the season. While Kanter is earning more than $18 million dollars this season, the Lakers can let him walk away for free at the end of the season, and Los Angeles will then be able to chase Anthony Davis.

In addition to this, the Lakers have the trade assets to get a deal done. Rajon Rondo, Michael Beasley, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope have all been linked with trades away, and Magic Johnson will be able to get a deal done without giving up one of the teams young core. Ultimately, Kanter is not the player that Lakers fans were hoping for, although the center could provide a boost to the team until the end of the season.

#1 Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets have been in need of a capable backup center all season long, however, the urgency to sign a big man has recently increased due to Clint Capela's injury. Capela is set to miss the next six weeks and the only senior player that the Rockets have to replace their starting center is the ageing Nene.

Kanter would be a perfect temporary replacement for Capela, and once the Rockets starting center returns, Kanter could be deployed from the bench, as the Turkish star flourished in this role during his two years with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Nevertheless, the Rockets could have trouble taking on Kanter's contract, and a deal could be dependant on the team offloading Brandon Knight's contract. Ultimately, a move for Kanter would be a short term one, although it could boost the Rockets hopes of finally defeating the Warriors.