Trade Rumors: Enes Kanter Demands Trade

Jeremy Lamb and the second round pick are why the Utah Jazz would do this deal.  Kendrick Perkins is simply in the deal for salaries to work.  He would resume back up center roles as Gobert would move into the starting lineup.

Lamb is a player who has not had the chance to thrive playing behind Kevin Durant. He has the tools to be a wonderful scorer in this league.  He is currently hitting 37.0% of his threes.  Lamb would be a good scoring threat off the bench behind Burks, Hood and Hayward.  Though he is only 6’5″, Lamb has an impressive 7’0″ wingspan.  If Quin can help get him focused on defense, he could be the 3-and-D guy for the Jazz.

The Thunder are currently sitting out side of the playoffs.  With Kevin Durant’s contract up in two years, the Thunder have to make the playoffs or they risk him entertaining the idea of leaving.  Besides Serge Ibaka, the bigs on the Thunder are far from a scoring threat.  Enes Kanter would be able to provide that for OKC.

Oklahoma would clear $2.716 million in cap space and gain a player they could play for 30 minutes a night.  Kanter would be a huge upgrade over Perkins and help the Thunder in their current playoffs race.

"“The Thunder have already traded away a first-round pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers to acquire Dion Waiters. And while the team is definitely in “win-now” mode with Kevin Durant’s and Russell Westbrook‘s impending free agency, this team doesn’t normally give up draft picks. Having said that, recent losses show the team needs to make a move and plans on (for the sake of argument) keeping Reggie Jackson. The rumored Brook Lopez deals have fallen through and the Nets aren’t willing to give it another shot. That means Plan B, which brings us to Utah’s proposed deal.  OKC has their center of the future in Steven Adams. He’s a solid screen-setter, rebounder and is athletic around the rim and getting better. But he’s got no shooting touch, which Kanter provides. It’s a solid 1-2 punch that gives the team depth and versatility at the center position. Novak’s inclusion in the deal is unfortunate simply because he’s limited in what he can do and the Thunder already have a 3-point specialist in Anthony Morrow. Perhaps Novak thrives with Durant/Westbrook/Waiters cutting to the rim and drawing defenders away from the perimeter.The deal works on many levels but, in all reality, I can’t imagine a scenario where GM Sam Presti makes a move like this. I give it a 7 out of 10 in terms of overall value to the club, but a 1 as far as being a realistic option.While Perkins’ role on the team has changed, he’s still a decent rebounder/defender and a good glue guy on the team. Lamb’s role has decreased and he rarely plays, even in “garbage time.” It’ll be tough to see Perk go as he’s a solid backup (and Kanter is unlikely to re-sign with OKC). Moving Lamb is probably something fans are hoping for to erase the lingering stench of the James Harden trade.”"

As David notes, the trade would make sense for both teams, but OKC may not pull the trigger unless they are panicking at the deadline.

You can find this trade on ESPN’s trade machine here.

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