While Enes Kanter seems unlikely to top his $18.6MM player-option salary if he hits the open market, he has yet to make a decision one way or the other on that option, after having suggested earlier in the offseason that he’s thinking about turning it down.
Kanter will have until June 29 to opt in or out, and he’s not rushing the decision. As Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic relays, the veteran center will wait until sometime after Thursday’s draft to make up his mind, since he expects to have a clearer idea at that point of where teams stand and what his market might look like.
“The only thing I’m doing right now is waiting for the draft,” Kanter said. “After the draft we’ll see what’s going to happen. Because the draft a lot of things can change, for the Knicks and for the whole league. Because people are going to leave. Waiting for LeBron [James] to decide and everything. I’m waiting for the draft to happen and then we’ll see.”
As Kanter suggests, the results of the draft – along with potential trades made on that night – will impact the offseason outlook for a number of teams. Clubs that add top center prospects like Deandre Ayton, Marvin Bagley III, and Mohamed Bamba may become less viable landing spots for Kanter, while trades will also shake up teams’ depth charts and signal potential directions for 2018/19.
If Kanter exercises his player option, he’d be under contract for one more season with a cap charge of $18,622,514. Declining the option would allow him to sign a longer-term contract with the Knicks or another club, perhaps for a great overall salary but a more modest per-year figure.
Why not. Turk be a playa
guesstimate of what he’d get on the open market?
He should opt in, no one is paying him that amount in the NBA right now.
What a blessing that’d be for the Knicks if he opts out
I’d take the money now. Teams will have more cap space next year and the year after, as the crazy contracts from ’16 run out. Have a decent year and go for long-term then.
watch if the Knicks draft a Center or PF/C watch him opt in & if the Knicks draft a guard or Wing watch him opt out
Makes sense to wait for the draft. Hopefully the Knicks are also waiting before being more proactive with this guy and his decision. Situation seems ripe for an opt out and a relatively team friendly deal.
Sad to say but he was the best Knick last year, so whether he opts in or not, New York needs to have a better player to lead them, last season he was a bit better because he really disappointed me in OKC, I expected more of him.