A reported Enes Kanter for Zach Randolph swap with the Kings would fulfill the Knicks‘ desire to move the veteran center without taking back a contract that runs past this season, writes Marc Berman of The New York Post.
The trade makes sense on several levels, Berman notes. Kanter is unhappy with his reduced playing time in New York and should welcome a deal to a contender. Knicks GM Scott Perry formerly worked in Sacramento and signed Randolph to his current deal. Randolph, who hasn’t played all season, might be bought out to free up a roster spot or he could return to action under David Fizdale, his former coach in Memphis.
Berman adds that the Knicks were surprised by Kanter’s comments last week about his ongoing feud with Turkish leaders as an explanation for his decision not to accompany the team on its upcoming trip to London. A team official said Kanter was having visa issues, but he later denied that was the reason for staying home.
There’s more news out of New York:
- Team owner James Dolan supports Kanter’s decision to skip the London trip, Berman adds in the same piece. The Kings and Knicks aren’t close to a deal yet, a source tells Berman, with Sacramento appearing to be more reluctant.
- The Knicks finished the first half of the season with just 10 victories, but Fizdale remains confident that better things are coming, Berman writes in a separate story. “Individually, I think guys are getting better,’’ Fizdale said after last night’s loss at Golden State. “Small areas of the game we’re getting better. It’s not all collective and not showing in a full game. I do see great strides in our young guys. I see Emmanuel [Mudiay] constantly gaining confidence, and [Noah] Vonleh continues to grow in his evolution. Kevin Knox over the course of the first half has shown great strides. Him and Damyean Dotson.” Draft lottery concerns may work against Fizdale’s prediction of more wins in the second half. The league’s three worst teams will share the best odds at the No. 1 pick, and the Knicks rank third in our latest Reverse Standings.
- Lance Thomas has signed with CAA and agents Leon Rose and Rich Felder, tweets Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic. His $7.58MM salary for next season is non-guaranteed.
I mean… kinda a pointless move. Just waive him if you’re not going to play Randolph anyway.
Buying out Randolph is cheaper than buying out Kanter and you end up with more cap space.
For who? They arent making a legit trade this year they have no assets they can deal.
And they said the Knicks got ripped off in the melo for enes trade. Once he’s flipped for Randolph I’d say it’s a pretty even swap now with both guys at home watching the games
Great Fiz. The teams that Vonleh and Mudiay play for next year, I’m sure, will send you a X-mas card thanking you for helping in their development. At least you got Trier paid like a top 10 pick, whereas his agent could only get him a 2wc.
I don’t understand the reluctance to boost capspace next year by $7mil for the loss of a 3rd stringer.
I also do not know what Kanter’s “visa issues” might refer to but England not thrilled about having to provide extra security may have something to do with it.
Other nations, unlike the USA, understand that they are allowed to exert advantageous control over the entry & exit of persons.
No impact on cap space next year for either team. Both contracts expire.
If its just the EK and ZR, then the Knicks would get a 7 mm TPE, but they’d have to renounce it this summer in order to use the cap space they will have.
Attach Hardaway and whatever from Sac to even the money out since they have 11 mil in cap space. Make them take a long contract too Kanter is actually a piece they can use and Randolph is basically just a contract at this point he’s not getting any burn and has no value.
Why would Sac take on Kanter for Z-Bo??? Randolph is better, not a complainer & the last thing the Kings need is a center that wants to play, they are overcrowded in the frontcourt as it is, for this to happen Knicks would have to add picks & take bad contracts, which it wouldn’t be good for either team, this is one of the worst trade ideas I have heard in a long time.
Ya I don’t see the fit either. Square peg round hole.