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NBA Free Agency 2018: 20 best players available

By Micah Wimmer

NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 22: Isaiah Thomas #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts before a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on March 22, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 22: Isaiah Thomas #3 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts before a game against the New Orleans Pelicans at the Smoothie King Center on March 22, 2018 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 13: Enes Kanter #00 of the New York Knicks reacts in the second quarter against the Dallas Mavericks during their game at Madison Square Garden on March 13, 2018 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 13: Enes Kanter #00 of the New York Knicks reacts in the second quarter against the Dallas Mavericks during their game at Madison Square Garden on March 13, 2018 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

11. Enes Kanter

In his first year as a full time starter since 2014-15, after two years coming off the bench for the Oklahoma City Thunder, Kanter averaged 14 points and 11 boards per game, while shooting a career high of nearly 60 percent from the field for the New York Knicks. He also may be the best offensive rebounder in the league, leading the league in offensive rebound percentage two of the last three seasons, while finishing third in total rebound percentage this past season. And while he can score in the post, his greatest offensive weapon is really just his rebounding as he has continually proven adept at putting the ball quickly in the basket after a miss.

The biggest problem facing Kanter is his lack of defensive acumen. In spite of his ability to move in the post fairly well, he is awful at rotating defensively, failing to get in front of offensive players whether on the perimeter or in the paint. There has been relative improvement on that end though, as last season, he finished with a positive DBPM for the first time in his career per Basketball-Reference.

Good as Kanter is at what he does, one is left to wonder two things. First, if his offensive abilities are enough to make up for his defensive liabilities. And secondly, just how valuable his skills are in the modern NBA. It’s easy to image many front offices being wary to commit big money to a player who is unable to be on the floor for long swaths of the game.

Of course, this may all be a moot point anyway if Kanter decides to pick up his $18 million player option for next season, which he may very well do, if he too is uncertain as I am about his value in the open market.

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