Oklahoma City Thunder Retain C Kanter
July 13, 2015 (The Sports Xchange) — The Oklahoma City Thunder retained center Enes Kanter on Sunday, matching the Portland Trail Blazers’ four-year, $70 million offer sheet for the restricted free agent center.
The fourth year is at the player’s option, multiple media outlets reported.
The Thunder took the full three days allowed before announcing their decision to match the Blazers’ bid.
Kanter, the No. 3 overall pick in 2011, produced per-game averages of 18.7 points and 11 rebounds last season after being traded in February from the Utah Jazz to the Thunder.
“We traded for Enes last season with the intention of keeping him as a member of the Thunder for several years to come, and we are excited that he will continue with us,” Oklahoma City general manager Sam Presti said in a statement. “He adds valuable depth to our roster, diversity to our frontcourt and the dimension that he brings offensively will positively impact our team.”
For the season overall between Utah and Oklahoma City, Kanter averaged 15.5 points and 8.9 rebounds per game. Both figures are well above his four-year career averages of 10.2 points and 6.4 rebounds.
The Blazers have plenty of salary-cap space after losing All-Star center LaMarcus Aldridge, guard Wesley Matthews and others in free agency.
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