Knicks Rumors: Enes Kanter Contract Buyout Discussions Expected After Deadline

The New York Knicks will likely begin negotiations to buy Enes Kanter out of his contract should they fail to move him before Thursday's 3 p.m. ET trade deadline, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

The veteran center, who is earning $18.6 million this year, will be an unrestricted free agent in the offseason.

On Jan. 2, Newsday's Steve Popper reported Kanter had spoken with Knicks general manager Steve Mills to "express his frustration with the team's struggles and his diminished role." Kanter clarified to Popper that he hadn't asked for a trade, though.

The eighth-year big man appeared to be changing his tune later in the month.

"I want to play basketball," he told reporters after he didn't play in the Knicks' 114-110 loss to the Houston Rockets on Jan. 23. "We're all competitors. I want to play basketball. So just if you're going to play me here, play me. If not, then just get me out of here."

On Sunday, Kanter referenced the looming trade deadline, which could potentially resolve his future.

"I have four days left," he said, per the New York Post's Jonathan Lehman. "I'm just going to wait four more days to see what happens, and then if something happens, it happens. If [it doesn't happen], I'll just go sit down with the front office, see what's going on, see what they plan to do with me."

He added he'd let his agent handle buyout negotiations if the Knicks don't move him by the trade deadline.

One way or another, it appears as though Kanter's days in the Big Apple are numbered. He has made three appearances since the Knicks' 122-95 loss to the Golden State Warriors on Jan. 8.

New York is clearly prioritizing its future over its present, both by clearing salary-cap space and attempting to improve its draft lottery odds. The team has little use for an experienced center on an expiring deal.

Kanter's contract will be difficult to move, so the Knicks will likely have to discuss a buyout with him following Thursday's trade deadline.