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Toronto Raptors: Predicting the 2018 buyout market

By Mike Bossetti

PHILADELPHIA, PA - May 5: Ersan Ilyasova #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots the ball against the Boston Celtics during Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semi Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 5, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - May 5: Ersan Ilyasova #23 of the Philadelphia 76ers shoots the ball against the Boston Celtics during Game Three of the Eastern Conference Semi Finals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on May 5, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 27: Enes Kanter #00 of the New York Knicks drives against Robin Lopez #42 of the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on December 27, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Knicks 92-87. 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 Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – DECEMBER 27: Enes Kanter #00 of the New York Knicks drives against Robin Lopez #42 of the Chicago Bulls at the United Center on December 27, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. The Bulls defeated the Knicks 92-87. 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 Daniel/Getty Images) /

Enes Kanter:

Earlier this offseason, rumors circulated that Enes Kanter may decline his $18.6 million contract to leave New York. Financially that would have been a terrible decision. However, you can’t put a price on happiness, and Kanter clearly wanted to play for a contender. (I guess you can put a price on happiness and it is less than $18.6 million.  )

A buyout represents the best of both worlds. There’s almost no doubt the Knicks are going to be terrible this year, and when they’re approximately 20 games under .500 in January, the two sides will likely come to an agreement.

Any team that acquires Kanter is getting a dose of offense and rebounding. Last season Kanter averaged just under 20 points per game on efficient shooting, while also posting one of the best rebounding rates in the entire NBA. 

On the other end of the court Kanter is not quite as talented. In fact, he is straight-up bad. Against bigger slower opponents Kanter can play well enough to stay on the court, but that is about all you can expect.

Toronto is extremely talented defensively and any acquisition of Kanter would be for particular matchup situations. His offensive skill-set makes him worth a flyer despite his flaws.