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West’s option could eat into Toronto’s cap room, though it won’t have any if it brings back both Amir Johnson and Lou Williams.5 It’s tempting to suggest a Utah-Toronto deal revolving around Ross and the ornery Enes Kanter, a swap that could in theory balance out both rosters in the right places. But Kanter’s representatives are a little nuts, and there aren’t many teams stoked to pay his next contract.
Kanter is a tweener who probably leans more toward the center spot but can’t protect the rim or do the other things on defense that teams need from centers. The power forward position is absolutely loaded around the league, and teams aren’t much interested in bigs who can’t shoot 3s or patrol the hoop. Kanter is a skilled player — a post-up bruiser with a nose for offensive rebounds and a sweet jumper. He has worked a bit harder on defense this year, though the results haven’t come — not shocking, since he’s just 22.
Utah Jazz v Dallas MavericksRONALD MARTINEZ/GETTY IMAGES
Kanter could follow Greg Monroe’s path to two-way respectability, but he’d have to earn many more free throws and improve his passing exponentially. Every path on Kanter’s decision tree points to “shoot” — he has just 26 assists all season, which is kind of laughable considering how much Quin Snyder has his bigs handling the ball around the elbows.
Finding a workable deal for Kanter is tough. Boston already has stretchy bigs who struggle with rim protection. The Kings don’t need another ball-dominant post guy next to Boogie. Kanter doesn’t fit Indy’s defense-first culture, and while Portland needs healthy bigs, it’d be reluctant to jeopardize its chemistry. The ever-active Hornets could view Kanter as an heir apparent to Al Jefferson, but they’re in a playoff chase, and Utah would throw the phone on the floor at the mere mention of Lance Stephenson. A Dragic-Kanter swap makes some theoretical sense given the roster needs of each team, but Utah is not the sort of market that can bank on retaining unrestricted free agents. The Lakers are intriguing but could chase Kanter in restricted free agency — a game the Lakers usually sit out.
Utah will seek out deals, and it has to be prepared to accept a little less than equal value given Kanter’s impending payday and reputation. The Jazz could also hope the market proves cooler than expected, and that they’ll be able to retain him at a reasonable price with an eye on dealing him later.
https://grantland.com/the-triangle/...2015-denver-nuggets-ty-lawson-kenneth-faried/