Since the departures of Al Horford and Aron Baynes, the Celtics have desperately needed an experienced big man, especially one who’s a strong rebounder. They just landed one:
Enes Kanter is signing a two-year, $10M deal with the Celtics, with a second-year player option, league sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @Stadium.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2019
The 6’11”, 250-lb. center has been in the league for eight seasons, averaging 11.9 points and 7.6 rebounds. This past season he went for 13.7/9.8, first with the Knicks, then with the Blazers after New York had waived him. Kanter started 14 of Portland’s 16 playoff games as they made a run to the Western Conference Finals.
The 27-year-old is known for his persistence on the offensive glass – he averaged 3.8 ORebs this season – and is definitely an in-the-paint player: 83.9% of his shots were taken within 8 feet of the rim. He also shot 9 of 27 from the three-point arc.
Some reaction from Twitter:
Enes Kanter's agent has announced a two-year deal with the Celtics for the room ($4.7 million in the first year) exception. The Celtics had hoped to create a full $9.3 mid-level exception, to no avail.
— Mark Murphy (@Murf56) July 1, 2019
If Celtics were focused on adding an offensive-minded big man and elite rebounder, Enes Kanter is as good as they were going to do with the room mid-level.
— Brian Robb (@BrianTRobb) July 1, 2019
With Enes Kanter in fold, Celtics depth chart looks like:
BALL-HANDLERS: Kemba, Smart, Edwards, Waters (2-way?)
WINGS: Jaylen, Jayson, Hayward, Semi, Romeo
BIGS: Kanter, Timelord, Theis, Grant, Yabu
— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) July 1, 2019
Kanter’s brother Kerem, himself a pro player in Lithuania, was immediately on board.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szkp2c0eTME&w=560&h=315]☘️🇹🇷 pic.twitter.com/ZDzIiheEXu
— Kerem Kanter (@KeremKanter) July 1, 2019
Kanter is also known for the trouble he’s had with the government of his home country, Turkey. Kanter has criticized the Turkish president, which led to his passport being revoked. If he travels outside the U.S., he risks being arrested and extradited. Last season he stayed home from a game in Toronto because of that danger.
His Twitter handle is @EnesKanter.
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