When Enes Kanter was traded from the Utah Jazz to the Oklahoma City Thunder at the trade deadline, few saw him as a worthy NBA starter, let alone, a $70 million player. Many saw him as the player that was holding Rudy Gobert back from reaching his true potential. Many saw him as someone who didn’t deserve to be taken third overall in the 2011 NBA Draft and because of that was a bust.
But since the fateful day of February 19th, that has all changed. In the absence of Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka, Kanter was given a chance to shine in OKC. A chance he most certainly did not relinquish. He blossomed into a great offensive option, averaging 18.7 points on 56.6 percent shooting from the field. He also realized his potential as a rebounder, averaging 11 rebounds per game, which included five offensive. He quickly turned into one of the better centers in the entire NBA post trade deadline. He has now been signed to a massive four-year, $70 million offer sheet with the Portland Trail Blazers.
In terms of offense, Kanter gives the Thunder something that they simply have not had in recent memory; a big man that can score on the block. Kendrick Perkins certainly wasn’t that, Steven Adams isn’t that and posting up isn’t necessarily Serge Ibaka’s natural game.
With Kanter being able to post up, it opens up a whole new world for Oklahoma City’s offense, which has struggled in recent years, despite having two of the most talented players on the planet. Having Kanter playing down low next to Durant, Russell Westbrook and co. means that defenses have had and will have a much more difficult time containing the Thunder’s offense.
In the previous seasons, defenses have been able to concentrate and double team Durant and Westbrook, essentially leaving everyone else on the floor open. The opposition tended to leave players like Thabo Sefolosha and Perkins open as they weren’t able to do much with the ball.
With Kanter on the floor, it changes that entire defensive way of thinking for opposing teams.
Teams now cannot double Durant and Westbrook as much as they will have to deal with Kanter, a real offensive threat. If defenses still double Durant and Westbrook while Kanter is on the court (as well as Serge Ibaka, who has a good jump shot), it will lead to easy buckets for Kanter down low. If teams do not double Durant and Westbrook because of the threat of Kanter, it is likely that points will come a lot easier for the dynamic duo.
One reason why some fans would think that the Thunder shouldn’t match is because of Kanter’s defense. Kanter’s defense is frankly horrific. He is easily one of the worst defensive big men in the entire league. Kanter doesn’t exactly protect the rim and doesn’t put a huge amount of effort in on that side of the ball.
However, with the Thunder, his defensive weaknesses aren't shown through as much because of their top-notch defense. Rim protectors Serge Ibaka and Steven Adams can cover for Kanter in the paint and make up for his deficiencies on that end of the court. Andre Roberson and Russell Westbrook are also good defenders on the perimeter that limit penetration and stop drives to the hoop.
At this point, you might be wondering why the Thunder wouldn't match the Kanter contract. He seems like the perfect big man for the Thunder as he delivers exactly what they need. But there is a big problem standing in the way of Oklahoma City matching Kanter's deal.
That thing is money.
After re-signing Kyle Singler, Oklahoma City are in a bit of a problem with the tax. A problem which the Thunder have most definitely encountered before. If they re-sign Kanter to the four-year, $70 million contract that Portland has offered to him, OKC will be a fair way over the luxury tax threshold of around $85 million. If history is any indication into what the Thunder might do, they will not match this deal.
Think back to 2012 for a second. James Harden just came off a season where he was the Sixth Man of the Year. The Thunder were ready to take the NBA by storm for the next decade and a half with a loaded young roster with a heap of talent. But then it became time to extend James Harden's contract. Harden wanted max money, but due to OKC's financial restrictions, did not do it and traded him to Houston, where he became a superstar.
Going into the tax isn't a problem for most NBA teams, but for the Thunder it certainly is. Being in one of the smallest media markets in the NBA doesn't help their cause as they don't get much TV money. This means that paying the tax isn't a no brainer at all in Oklahoma City as it would be in a place like New York.
While many criticize this, it is the harsh reality in the NBA.
But believe it or not, neither the luxury tax, nor Kanter's fit on the Thunder could be the deciding factor in matching his offer sheet. The deciding factor could be something in 2016. This something is Kevin Durant's impending free agency.
Next year, around this date, Kevin Durant will have the chance to sign with anyone that wants him. Teams are already preparing a year in advance. The Los Angeles Clippers, Washington Wizards, Golden State Warriors and Miami Heat are just a few of these teams. If Oklahoma City wants to keep Durant, OKC will have to show that they are a championship caliber team.
If the Thunder doesn’t make a serious push for the title this season, Durant may feel that signing with another team would give him a better shot at an elusive NBA title.
If the Thunder does decide to match the offer sheet and pay the luxury tax, they will have a much better shot at winning the title. Kanter is extremely talented and as mentioned above, he is a perfect fit in OKC.
By finally paying the tax, something that the Thunder barely ever do, it would show Kevin Durant that they are serious about keeping him and will do whatever is necessary to win a championship.
To answer the question of will OKC match Enes Kanter's offer sheet, the answer is they probably should. But that doesn't mean that they will.