"Journeyman" defines Boston Celtics center, Enes Kanter. In his ninth season in the NBA, Kanter has played for six different franchises - three of them twice. In other words, he has performed alongside a total of nine different rosters. He may be on the move once again this summer.
Enes is signed with Boston for the sum of $5 million for 2020-21, but he has a player option. His 17.5 minutes per game this season mark the least floor time for him since the 2012-13 season, his second in the League. His minutes have dropped from 12.0 MPG (last 10 games) to 11.1 MPG (last 5) to 10.2 MPG for the last two contests.
Daniel Theis has clearly been Brad Stevens' center of choice. Theis has averaged 23.8 minutes/game this year - 28.2 MPG over the last 10 games - and 31.0 MPG for the last two contests. Daniel's minutes have soared, while Kanter's time has plummeted. The message is clear. If a player doesn't dedicate himself to Brad's constant-movement, switching defensive schemes, his floor time will suffer. That appears to have been Kanter's fate as this season has unfolded.
To Enes' credit, he has played to - or beyond - what was expected. He is a big that can score in close and rebound, but his defensive work is not always up to Stevens' standards, and Kanter, despite his size, can be bullied by a few brutes in the League.
It just might turn out that Kanter may want more playing time - and perhaps more money. Thus, he may opt out of his $5 million deal for next season and see what is out there for him. While Enes has been jettisoned by a number of teams, there always seems to be a franchise that wants him. He will turn 28 years old in May of this year, and if he can land a multi-year contract with a team that will use what he supplies, Kanter may go for it.
The suspension of League play has certainly stymied the progression of Celtics second-year-man, Rob Williams. But as things stand now, Stevens may envision a center rotation of Theis and both Rob and Grant Williams for the near future. That would leave short minutes for the likable Turk.
Enes is signed with Boston for the sum of $5 million for 2020-21, but he has a player option. His 17.5 minutes per game this season mark the least floor time for him since the 2012-13 season, his second in the League. His minutes have dropped from 12.0 MPG (last 10 games) to 11.1 MPG (last 5) to 10.2 MPG for the last two contests.
Daniel Theis has clearly been Brad Stevens' center of choice. Theis has averaged 23.8 minutes/game this year - 28.2 MPG over the last 10 games - and 31.0 MPG for the last two contests. Daniel's minutes have soared, while Kanter's time has plummeted. The message is clear. If a player doesn't dedicate himself to Brad's constant-movement, switching defensive schemes, his floor time will suffer. That appears to have been Kanter's fate as this season has unfolded.
To Enes' credit, he has played to - or beyond - what was expected. He is a big that can score in close and rebound, but his defensive work is not always up to Stevens' standards, and Kanter, despite his size, can be bullied by a few brutes in the League.
It just might turn out that Kanter may want more playing time - and perhaps more money. Thus, he may opt out of his $5 million deal for next season and see what is out there for him. While Enes has been jettisoned by a number of teams, there always seems to be a franchise that wants him. He will turn 28 years old in May of this year, and if he can land a multi-year contract with a team that will use what he supplies, Kanter may go for it.
The suspension of League play has certainly stymied the progression of Celtics second-year-man, Rob Williams. But as things stand now, Stevens may envision a center rotation of Theis and both Rob and Grant Williams for the near future. That would leave short minutes for the likable Turk.
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