Enes Kanter stands to be $70 million richer after signing an offer sheet from the Portland Trailblazers. The deal is reportedly good for four years with a player option in the final year.
After losing LaMarcus Aldridge, who opted out to test free agency, the Blazers seem to be on the move to find a suitable player to replace him. Kanter seems to be that guy.
However, that can only happen if the Oklahoma City Thunder do not match the offer sheet. The latest word on it is that the Thunder will be matching the offer, as stressed by Thunder general manager Sam Presti.
"Our intention has been to match offers on Enes, and nothing has changed in this regard," Presti told The Oklahoman. "Enes expressed his desire to be a part of the Thunder in our meeting with him yesterday, and we have planned in advance should he receive an offer such as the one that has been reported."
Apparently, the whole scenario is no different from the time that James Harden was around. At that time, Harden made it known he wanted out if he could not get a maximum contract. And as everyone knows, the Thunder let Harden walk.
This time, however, the case seems to be different. Kanter had reportedly expressed his desire to stay with the ballclub, and it seems that the Thunder are bent on letting him stay.
Kanter, 23, does need some improvements in his game, so some are asking if the double-double player is indeed worthy of such a high salary. The Thunder are pressed for time, and while Presti says that the team will match the offer sheet, it still has to be made official.
Matching the offer sheet will make Kanter the third highest paid player in the roster, which could seriously result in luxury tax penalty problems.
