Toronto Raptors: 4 potential buyout market candidates

A general view of the Air Canada Centre during the playing of the Canadian anthem before the start of the Toronto Raptors game against the Washington Wizards prior to Game One of the first round of the 2018 NBA Playoffs at Air Canada Centre. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

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Enes Kanter #00 of the New York Knicks plays the Denver Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /

Enes Kanter

Originally acquired from Oklahoma City in the Carmelo Anthony trade back in 2017, the Knicks were hoping to find a trade partner for Enes Kanter but were unable to strike a deal and are expected to negotiate a buyout.

The 2011 third overall pick is averaging 14 points, 10.5 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game this season, shooting 53.6 percent from the field and 31.8 from three-point range in 44 games in New York. He also ranks in the top 12 in defensive rating among players with over 40 appearances this season.

What Kanter does is provide the Raptors with a player who can match up against bigs like Joel Embiid in the playoffs, while giving some support behind Gasol and Serge Ibaka. It might not be the most pressing need for Ujiri in the buyout market, but you don’t want to take the chance with having little to no depth at centre.

You might have also heard about how the 26-year-old didn’t go to London out of fear for his safety, as a result of his criticism towards Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

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