No doubt Kanter is putting up some great numbers right now, but there is little reason to believe it's sustainable. In fact, as CAKAR kindly pointed out waaaay back at the beginning of this thread, he got pouty and stopped playing hard for the Jazz because he was unhappy with his role here, which-- if true-- speaks volumes about his character. What happens when Durant and Ibaka are back, and Kanter is suddenly not getting as many touches? Because that's why he is doing so well right now. Will he have the professionalism and maturity to handle being the 4th or 5th option on offense? To me, this isn't even a conversation worth having right now-- come back to me after he's been with the team for a year or more, has a more established role in the system, and then there might be something to discuss. I will gladly eat crow if he's still averaging 20+ and 10+.
As for the idea that the Jazz would have been better off keeping Kanter over Favors, it's a moot point. The Jazz as an organization committed to building a franchise identity around defensive-mindedness, and Kanter simply doesn't fit into that model. It can't be argued-- for all of his prowess with his back to the basket and the ball in his hands, for all his talent as an offensive rebounder, he is not a defensive-minded player. As a fan I am grateful to the Jazz for choosing what most of us consider to be an exciting path, and then making hard decisions that show a commitment to it. What is annoying is how determined so many of you butt-hurt Kanter fans are to stick around this forum, resurrecting the topic of how great Kanter is and how badly he was mishandled. Go away, people. Just go away.