National Basketball Association

Enes Kanter: Finding the only player to consider in return

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The recent addition of Joffrey Lauvergne muddles up the frontcourt in Oklahoma City. Enes Kanter is on the trading block once again, but who could they get in return?

Enes Kanter doesn’t deserve the constant trade speculation. Seriously. Just type “Enes Kanter trade rumors” into your favorite search engine. You’ll be amazed.

Joffrey Lauvergne creates a logjam on the roster; naturally Kanter is being discussed as a possible trade candidate. It’s no secret that the Thunder need a small forward. With Kanter’s salary and an additional piece like Ersan Ilyasova, there is literally no limit to the player the Thunder can bring in.

LeBron James? Yep. Obviously Cleveland wouldn’t/can trade him, but Oklahoma City even has the space for LBJ.

Who are the potential targets for Sam Presti?

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If he’s looking to trade Mitch McGary and Ilyasova, Rudy Gay is the obvious first option. Gay gives the Thunder another wing scorer to help take pressure off Westbrook. If that doesn’t work look for guys like Trevor Ariza, Terrance Ross and Al-Farouq Aminu to land in Oklahoma City.

Now those guys are interesting. They may push the Thunder to conference final contenders, but not nearly close enough to championship contenders. We’re here to crown Oklahoma City as the 2017 champions ????

There’s a reason Enes Kanter is always in trade rumors. His combination of talent, age and contract security makes Kanter the perfect centerpiece in a trade for a superstar.

With the Thunder’s youth, roster depth and cap space, nobody is out of the question. Paul George?

Screen Shot 2016-09-01 at 1.44.53 PM

Screenshot of ESPN Trade Machine

BAM!!!! If you think the Thunder are losing one less game with this trade you are certifiably insane.

A starting lineup of Russell Westbrook-Victor Oladipo-Paul George-Ersan Ilyasova-Steven Adams instantly becomes one of the best lineups in the league. It features two of the ten best players in the league, three elite defenders and a perfect stretch four. The Thunder instantly have the tools to matchup with Golden State on the defensive end and just enough to outscore them in a best of seven series.

Let it be known. Paul George is the only player Sam Presti should consider trading Enes Kanter for. Kanter is an incredible talent; don’t trade him unless it makes Oklahoma City championship contenders.

I believe Sam Presti understands this. Most of the trade rumors have been media speculation, not from the Thunder themselves. I still think McGary is the odd man out in Oklahoma City, but there’s no telling what Sam Presti has planned.

#inPrestiwetrust

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