NBA Rumors: Jazz want big return in Enes Kanter trade

The Utah Jazz are interested in moving center Enes Kanter before Thursday’s trade deadline, yet the asking price may be too steep for potential suitors.

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Enes Kanter is available for trade — the problem is, not many NBA teams have what the Utah Jazz want in return.

Kanter wants out of Utah, yet the Jazz want both a young player and a first round pick in return. As Thursday’s trade deadline approaches, few teams are willing — let alone having the resources — to ante up and haul in a 22-year-old big man who is averaging 13.8 points and 7.8 rebounds while sharing time with fellow young center Rudy Gobert. A restricted free agent this summer, Kanter voiced his desire to be traded earlier this month, with the Jazz now willing to listen to his needs.

There are teams in the fold, yet veteran NBA writer Chris Sheridan has a feeling where Kanter will end up come Friday morning:

"…it would not surprise me to see OKC go after disgruntled Jazz center Enes Kanter…It would be a definite roster upgrade for a team currently ninth in the West, and let’s face it … the Thunder have this year and next year to win a championship, or else Kevin Durant is a goner."

The Thunder have been in the market for a big man, as Kendrick Perkins earns over $9.5 million for meager production, while Steven Adams will miss three weeks after having surgery on his right hand on Monday. By adding Kanter, OKC would have added firepower in their bid to hold off the Suns and Pelicans for the eighth and final playoff spot in the West. They had been in discussions with the Nets for Brook Lopez before talks finally cratered last week.

OKC isn’t the only team willing to roll the dice on Kanter, as the Celtics are reportedly also in the market for him. Boston apparently is inquiring about the availability of Kings All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins and has the right package of youth and first rounders in order to pull off what would be a blockbuster deal.

Utah had offered Kanter a four-year, $32 million extension last fall, yet Kanter wanted a deal in the neighborhood of $63 million over the same span. If he does get that kind of money, it certainly won’t be coming from the Jazz.

Moving Kanter would not only get rid of a growing headache for the Jazz, yet it would also free up Gobert to start full-time. The team is committed to Gobert for the long haul and now view Kanter as nothing more than bait for future talent.

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