Player Outlook
Enes Kanter will be entering his third full season with the Thunder with about the exact same role he's had all along: offensive-minded backup. Despite the trading away of Domantas Sabonis, who started 66 games last season ahead of Kanter, the newly-acquired Patrick Patterson is in line to essentially take the role of Sabonis, keeping Kanter refined to a limited role off the bench. The 25-year-old still managed to hold value despite the bench role, though, most notably averaging 14.3 points on 54.5 percent shooting from the field with 6.7 rebounds on just 21.3 minutes per game, making him one of the most efficient scorers in the league and valuable across almost every format. It would be hard to imagine him remaining as efficient for another straight year, but even a slight digression in scoring efficiency doesn't pose a threat to his wide-spread value.
Player News
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Kanter collected 10 points (5-10 FG, 0-1 3Pt), seven rebounds, three steals and one assist across 22 minutes during Thursday's 105-84 loss to the Thunder. Four turnovers dampened Kanter's performance to some extent, but he also collected an uncharacteristic three steals (0.4 per game last year). While fantasy owners might be discouraged by his subpar workload, it's important to note that Kanter is a high-volume player. In 21.3 minutes per game during 2016-17, he averaged 14.3 points and 6.7 rebounds.
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Kanter will draw the start at center for Thursday's season opener against the Thunder, Marc Berman of the New York Post reports. It was unclear throughout training camp and the preseason if Kanter or Willy Hernangomez would begin the year at center. Though Kanter is starting, there's no guarantee he'll play 30 minutes per night. That may not matter, however, as he posted 14.3 points and 6.7 boards across just 21.3 minutes per game last year with the Thunder.
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Kanter scored 16 points (6-11 FG, 4-5 FT) while adding five rebounds in 23 minutes during Friday's preseason loss to the Wizards. The 25-year-old center's role is still up in the air as the Knicks try to redefine themselves without Carmelo Anthony, but Kanter has proven in the past that he can provide solid scoring and a presence on the glass when he gets significant minutes. Friday's start came with Kristaps Porzingis (rest) in street clothes, however, and it remains to be seen whether coach Jeff Hornacek sees the two as complementary pieces in his frontcourt, or whether Kanter will come off the bench as he did with the Thunder.
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Kanter will draw the start at center during Friday's preseason contest against the Wizards, Al Iannazzone of Newsday reports. Kanter came off the bench during the team's preseason opener Tuesday, but coach Jeff Hornacek has opted to see how he looks as the starter Friday. It's unclear if he'll be the starting center when the season begins -- that may be determined through preseason performances.
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Kanter posted 17 points (4-8 FG, 9-10 FT), three rebounds and one assist over 11 minutes in Tuesday's 115-107 preseason loss to the Knicks. Kanter is expected to eventually start at center for the Knicks, but not if Kyle O' Quinn or Willy Hernangomez have anything to say about it. His late addition to the team after the Carmelo Anthony trade has resulted in a crowded frontcourt, so right now it remains to be seen how the minutes under center will be divvied out. This (and the fact that he's now playing for the Knicks) makes Kanter a high-risk pick in drafts this season.
Recent Tweets
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2:56 am ET / @IanBegleyIan Begley
On Willy Hernangomez, Hornacek basically said Kanter & O'Quinn earned their minutes based in the preseason but nothing is set in stone.
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2:04 am ET / @nyknicksNEW YORK KNICKS
3Q @zteusa Update: Porzingis - 21p/10r Kanter - 10p/7r #Knicks https://t.co/A6hpQitxFP
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1:43 am ET / @nyknicks
NEW YORK KNICKS
Kanter now with 10 points and 6 boards for the #Knicks. NYK cut the deficit to 62-52 with 7:25 to go in the 3Q. https://t.co/wYlj1AFKbw
Last 7 Games
| DATE | Opp | Result | Min | PTS | TRB | AST | BK | ST | TO | FPTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/19 | @  |
L 105-84 | 22 | 10 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 18 |
Upcoming Games
| date | Opp | time |
|---|---|---|
| 10/21 | vs  |
8:00 PM |
| 10/24 | @  |
7:30 PM |
| 10/27 | vs  |
7:30 PM |
| 10/29 | @  |
7:00 PM |
| 10/30 | vs  |
7:30 PM |
| 11/01 | vs  |
8:00 PM |
| 11/03 | vs  |
7:30 PM |
Career Stats
| Season | G | FG | FGP | 3PT | 3PTP | FT | FTP | PTS | PPG | FPTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 | 5 | 50.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 10 | 10.00 | 18 |
| 2016 | 72 | 402 | 54.5 | 5 | 13.2 | 224 | 78.6 | 1033 | 14.35 | 1596 |
| 2015 | 82 | 414 | 57.6 | 10 | 47.6 | 200 | 79.7 | 1038 | 12.66 | 1712 |
| 2014 | 75 | 482 | 51.9 | 16 | 35.6 | 183 | 78.2 | 1163 | 15.51 | 1864 |
| 2013 | 80 | 419 | 49.1 | 0 | 0.0 | 149 | 73.0 | 987 | 12.34 | 1661 |
| 2012 | 70 | 206 | 54.4 | 1 | 100.0 | 93 | 79.5 | 506 | 7.23 | 831 |
| 2011 | 66 | 117 | 49.6 | 0 | 0.0 | 70 | 66.7 | 304 | 4.61 | 585 |
| 3 Year Avg | 76 | 433 | 54.5 | 10 | 28.6 | 202 | 78.6 | 1078 | 14.18 | 1723 |
| Career | 446 | 2045 | 53.0 | 32 | 29.6 | 919 | 76.8 | 5041 | 11.30 |