Celtics Rumors: Boston Interested in Enes Kanter If Knicks Part Ways with C

If Enes Kanter and the New York Knicks part ways after the trade deadline, one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference may reportedly pursue him on the buyout market. 

Per ESPN.com's Ian Begley, "opposing executives believe" the Boston Celtics will be among the teams interested in Kanter if the Knicks buy him out.   

Per Begley and Adrian Wojnarowski, the Knicks and Kanter are expected to discuss a buyout as soon as the trade deadline passes at 3 p.m. ET Thursday if no deal materializes. Begley and Wojnarowski noted the agreement could come as soon as Thursday night. 

Per Adam Zagoria of the New York Times and SNY.tv, the Knicks will "most likely" waive Kanter because no trade is expected to occur.

Kanter has been unhappy with his role in New York this season. The 26-year-old told reporters last month he understood the Knicks' situation but didn't want to spend time on the bench: 

"Of course I was sad, I was down. Because, I mean, we’re competitors and I want to go out there and play basketball and I understand now the situation with the Knicks, it’s tough. Because they’re trying to give the young guys a lot of minutes and get them better but, like I said, man, it’s not like I’m 32, 33 years old. I’m 26 years old and I want to go out there and compete and play basketball."

Kanter is averaging 14.0 points and 10.5 rebounds in 25.6 minutes per game for the Knicks. He's due to become a free agent after this season. 

The Celtics could use another big man in the paint to help improve their rebounding. They are tied for 15th in the NBA with 45.1 rebounds per game.