Best Potential Trade Packages and Destinations for Former No. 3 Pick Enes Kanter

Utah Jazz center Enes Kanter wants out. Quickly.

The restricted free agent-to-be hopes to be dealt before the Feb. 19 trade deadline, he told Aaron Falk of The Salt Lake Tribune.

The former No. 3 pick is reportedly frustrated over a role that has never grown as big as he would like. He started his career trapped behind Al Jefferson and Paul Millsap and is now fighting for minutes with Derrick Favors, Rudy Gobert and Trevor Booker.

Kanter brings a wealth of talent to the offensive end. He's skilled in the low post and comfortable shooting away from the basket. After attempting only three triples his first three seasons combined, he has taken 41 in 2014-15 and connected on 13 of them (31.7 percent).

At 22 years old, his best basketball is likely ahead of him. That being said, his trade value isn't likely as robust as his age and former draft position might suggest.

An active trade season has seen a number of teams already cash in future assets for immediate help. To make matters worse, Kanter's uncertain future makes him a risky acquisition for any team. His defensive struggles—he ranks 62nd among 75 centers in ESPN.com's defensive real plus-minus—only compound the problem.

The fact he has made his trade request public further depletes the value of the package Utah can reasonably expect to receive.

Still, there are teams that have an obvious need for what he can add, and those clubs might be willing to scratch some of the Jazz's biggest itches to get something done. The following five teams make the most sense as possible trade destinations, and these are the possible trade packages that could be used to get him.

Indiana Pacers

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Utah Jazz receive: Solomon Hill, Chris Copeland, 2016 first-round pick (lottery protected)

Indiana Pacers receive: Enes Kanter

Don't let the Indiana Pacers' underwhelming 21-33 record fool you. This is not a rebuilding club.

The Pacers have spent the entire season without two-time All-Star Paul George (leg), who led them in scoring and ranked second in assists during the 2013-14 campaign. His absence has further highlighted Indiana's need for offense, as the team is tied for 26th in offensive efficiency and doesn't have a single player averaging more than George Hill's 14.1 points per game.

Kanter, who's put up 16.5 points per 36 minutes over his career, would give the Pacers a go-to scorer now and a complementary one once George returns. Kanter's ability to space the floor would help the ease the paint congestion around Roy Hibbert. The lack of mobility for a Kanter-Hibbert frontcourt sounds troubling, but it's not as if 34-year-olds Luis Scola and David West are covering a lot of ground as it is.

For Utah, the prize of this package is the draft pick. The Jazz will have a tough time sniffing out a first-rounder elsewhere, but the Pacers might be willing to bet on themselves and feel that by 2016 they'll be picking near the bottom of the draft board.

And the other players heading to Salt Lake City would be more than throw-ins. Solomon Hill could help bulk up a thin collection of wings, and his jack-of-all-trades skill set could help the Jazz survive the times when Gordon Hayward needs a breather. Utah desperately needs more shooting, and Chris Copeland, despite hitting only 31.3 percent of his threes this season, might provide it.

"When you consider that he shot 42 percent from three-point range over the past two seasons, Copeland's poor shooting in 2014-15 should be seen as a potential outlier," wrote Bleacher Report's Andy Bailey. "In a system with better spacing, there's reason to believe he turns it around."

Milwaukee Bucks

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Utah Jazz receive: Khris Middleton

Milwaukee Bucks receive: Enes Kanter, 2017 first-round pick (from Golden State Warriors)

It's hard to think of many reasonably obtainable players who would be better fits in Utah than Khris Middleton. The 23-year-old is a plug-and-play option at shooting guard, small forward and power forward. That positional versatility would allow the Jazz to deploy him in an oversized lineup, a pint-sized spacing group or anything in between.

Middleton's career 40.7 three-point percentage is higher than the single-season marks currently posted by all of Utah's regular rotation players. The Jazz shoot just 34.3 percent from deep as a team, the 11th-worst success rate in the league.

The lack of proper spacing limits the effectiveness of first-year coach Quin Snyder's offensive system. The Jazz are leaning more heavily on ball screens, plus the driving and crashing chances those looks create. But without enough shooting to keep defenses honest, the lane can get overcrowded.

Middleton can provide that shooting touch, along with a versatile offensive game (15 games with three or more assists) and disruptive, long-limbed defense (6'10.75" wingspan, per DraftExpress).

So, why would the Milwaukee Bucks consider letting him go? There are a couple different reasons.

Like Kanter, Middleton will be a restricted free agent this summer. That means it's possible he bolts without the Bucks getting anything in return. Milwaukee already has $50.2 million on the books for 2015-16, according to HoopsHype, and that's before factoring in what could be a substantial raise for fellow restricted free agent-to-be Brandon Knight.

This deal ensures Milwaukee receives something for the future. If the Bucks choose to pay Kanter, they have an offensive complement for their stout defensive frontcourt. If not, Milwaukee still picks up the 2017 first-round pick that the Golden State Warriors owe Utah.

Oklahoma City Thunder

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Utah Jazz receive: Kendrick Perkins, Jeremy Lamb, Perry Jones III

Oklahoma City Thunder receive: Enes Kanter, Steve Novak

Two throws at the dartboard and one giant expiring contract. That's what the Jazz would net in this deal.

This isn't the sexiest scenario for Utah, and it's admittedly loaded with boom-or-bust potential. But if either Jeremy Lamb or Perry Jones III realizes anything close to their full potential, this could be a big win for the Jazz. If both find their footing in Utah, it might be remembered as grand larceny.

The silky smooth Lamb offers tremendous length and athleticism, along with a three-point shot that has improved each of his first three seasons in the league (37 percent in 2014-15). By moving away from a system that prioritizes isolations to one that values movement of players and the ball, he could tap into the potential that made him the 12th overall pick in 2012.

Jones was a wrecking ball at the start of this season—17.8 points on 45.5 percent shooting his first four games—but he's been shuffled in and out of the Oklahoma City Thunder's rotation since. If consistent minutes help him find consistent production, the 6'11" forward could be a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses.

Kendrick Perkins' contract is needed to make the money work, and it has value on its own. His expiring $9.1 million salary could give Utah the certainty that it will have the cash to spend it may have considered investing in Kanter. The Jazz won't land a big-name free agent, but this year's crop looks strongest in the second tier, anyway.

The Thunder need interior offense to take some heat off of Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. That's why they took a long look at Brooklyn Nets big man Brook Lopez earlier this season, per ESPN.com's Chris Broussard. With OKC facing an uphill climb to the postseason, the Thunder need to add something sooner rather than later.

Kanter has a deeper bag of offensive tricks than Thunder center Steven Adams, and Kanter's defensive shortcomings could be masked by the presence of Serge Ibaka.

Steve Novak is nothing more than salary-filler, as the Thunder already have a three-point specialist in Anthony Morrow.

Phoenix Suns

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Utah Jazz receive: Isaiah Thomas, Miles Plumlee

Phoenix Suns receive: Enes Kanter, 2016 second-round pick (from Boston Celtics or Toronto Raptors)

The Jazz might hope they have their point guard of the future in either Trey Burke or Dante Exum, but there is no tangible evidence that's actually the case. Among the 235 players averaging 20 minutes a night, Burke and Exum rank 224th and 231st in field-goal percentage, respectively.

If Utah hopes to start climbing the Western Conference ladder in 2015-16, it might need a more reliable option at point guard. Isaiah Thomas, a career 15.3 points-per-game scorer and 44.4 percent shooter, could be that player. And there's a pretty decent chance the point guard-heavy Phoenix Suns would be willing to give him up.

"We are a little too backcourt heavy," Suns general manager Ryan McDonough said during an appearance on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM's Burns & Gambo Show, per ArizonaSports.com's Adam Green. "So I think at some point we'll need to balance that out, try to get a little more size, a little more frontcourt scoring and rebounding."

In other words, the Suns are looking for exactly what Kanter offers. And they might feel motivated to make a move with unrestricted free agent-to-be—and 2013-14 All-NBA third-teamer—Goran Dragic reportedly growing weary of sharing touches with Thomas and Eric Bledsoe, per AZCentral.com's Paul Coro.

The Jazz need players who can produce today and tomorrow, and the 26-year-old Thomas fits that ball. Miles Plumlee, another 26-year-old, could fit in nicely as a third or fourth big.

The Suns are well-equipped to give up both, especially with Kanter's interior skills potentially increasing their chances of securing the West's final playoff spot. The 2016 second-round pick, which will be the more favorable of the Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors, gives the Suns another asset to add to their collection.

Sacramento Kings

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Utah Jazz receive: Nik Stauskas, Reggie Evans

Sacramento Kings receive: Enes Kanter

Sacramento Kings sharpshooter Nik Stauskas' rookie season has played out like a predictable horror movie.

The Kings spent lottery picks on shooting guards in each of the last two drafts. Stauskas was unfortunately the second to join the party, and sophomore Ben McLemore's development has pushed the rookie further down the pecking order. Stauskas has only seen double-digit minutes twice in the team's last seven games, and his season average of 13.6 minutes ranks 12th on the Kings.

The only consistent thing on his stat sheet are his woeful shooting percentages: 32.8 from the field, 26.1 from deep. But it's hard to find a rhythm on a roller-coaster ride like his. Given what he did at Michigan just one season ago—17.5 points with a .470/.442/.824 shooting slash—it's impossible to think his door to a successful career has already closed.

But the Kings might be ready to move on, either as a reflection of Stauskas' struggles or the realization that he wasn't exactly what they needed. League sources told CBS Sports' Ken Berger that Sacramento would consider dealing Stauskas for "either a stretch four or above-the-rim defender."

Neither label fits Kanter well, but his expanding offensive range could help him serve spot duty alongside All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins. If nothing else, Kanter could help prevent the complete collapses currently taking place when Cousins leaves the floor: minus-12.4 points per possessions when he sits.

If Sacramento has interest in a potential swap, it should be reciprocated on Utah's side. The Jazz could use another shooting guard, either in the starting lineup or behind Alec Burks. Reggie Evans' salary is needed to make the money work, though the 13-year veteran could have some valuable words of wisdom for a young team hungry for a playoff spot.

Unless otherwise noted, statistics used courtesy of Basketball-Reference.com and NBA.com.

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