Enes Kanter Trade Rumors: Latest Buzz and Speculation on Thunder Center

Matt FitzgeraldJun 30, 2016

Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter is reportedly on the trading block as the team looks to upgrade its frontcourt this offseason.

Continue for updates.

Thunder Seeking to Trade Kanter, Add Al Horford in Free Agency

Thursday, June 30

ESPN.com's Marc Stein reported the buzz on Kanter and OKC's subsequent plans to bring aboard the longtime Atlanta Hawks big man.

Kanter hasn't lived up to the hype as the third overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft to date, but he is bound to be of interest to multiple suitors in a trade. He's still only 24 years old and has shown flashes of dominant potential, especially during his time in Oklahoma City.

Upon his initial arrival with the Thunder in 2014-15, Kanter put together a 26-game stretch in which he averaged 18.7 points and 11 rebounds per contest. This past season, he appeared in all 82 regular-season games, averaging 12.7 points and 8.1 boards.

With high upside on offense due to his blend of size and finesse and a demonstrated ability to rebound well when his role calls for it, Kanter has the skill set to become a franchise cornerstone. His calling just may not be with his current team.

Bleacher Report's Andy Bailey weighed in on Kanter's future in light of the Horford rumor:

Steven Adams has emerged as a viable center for the Thunder, who traded away veteran power forward Serge Ibaka to the Orlando Magic and got a nice haul in return. With Adams at the 5, Horford has proved effective at the 4 in the past and would be a great fit on the front line.

As Stein pointed out, though, Kanter can veto any trade until July 12. He does have a 15 percent trade kicker in his contract, which means OKC has to pay that percentage of his remaining salary if it moves him, thus enhancing his chances to be dealt.

It's a big next week or so for the Thunder, who have superstar Kevin Durant hitting the open market and taking meetings with numerous other teams.

The good news is Durant met with Oklahoma City on Thursday and will meet with his incumbent team again before making his final decision, per USA Today's Sam Amick.

Thunder general manager Sam Presti and Co. would love to free up some room to accommodate Horford by trading Kanter by the time they meet with Durant again. It's therefore logical to infer a Kanter trade will happen soon, if it does at all, despite his veto power.