NBA Trade Rumors: Enes Kanter could be about to leave the New York Knicks

New York Knicks may have found a trade partner for the Turkish star
New York Knicks may have found a trade partner for the Turkish star

What's the rumor?

New York Knicks center, Enes Kanter, has been linked with a trade away from the team for the last few months, and Adrian Wojnarowski is now reporting that the Knicks may have found a trade partner for the Turkish star:

New York and Sacramento discussing an Enes Kanter-Zach Randolph trade of expiring contracts, but nothing close yet, league sources tell ESPN. Kings would want to send out more expirings in a deal. A third team could be helpful. - Adrian Wojnarowski via Twitter

In case you didn't know...

The Utah Jazz selected Enes Kanter with the third pick of the 2011 NBA draft. The Turkish center quickly established himself as an important player in Utah, however, the team eventually traded him to the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2015.

Kanter proved to be a deadly addition to the Thunder's bench, although he was surprisingly traded to the Knicks as part of the blockbuster 2017 deal that took Carmelo Anthony to Oklahoma City.

So far this season Kanter is averaging 14.4 points and 10.7 rebounds per game and the center attracted worldwide attention last week after refusing to travel to London due to fears of being assassinated.

The heart of the matter

Kanter's contract is set to expire in the summer, and the Knicks are preparing to make a move for a number of notable free-agents such as Kevin Durant.

Ultimately, the Turkish center has no future in New York, so it makes sense to let him join the Kings, who are currently chasing a playoff appearance.

What's next?

The Sacramento Kings will tomorrow take on the struggling Detroit Pistons, while the Knicks play the Indiana Pacers on Friday.


Let us know in the comments below who you believe Enes Kanter will improve the Sacramento Kings playoff push. Also visit our dedicated basketball section for the latest news, rumors and analysis.

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Edited by Alan John