Breaking Down the Enes Kanter Signing

Mar 8, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder center Enes Kanter (34) reacts after a play against the Toronto Raptors during the second quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports

The news broke late Sunday night at the proverbial 11th hour. Given a 72-hour deadline to match the Portland Trail Blazers’ reported offer of four years and $70 million, the Oklahoma City Thunder waited until the 70th to finally agree to bring back Enes Kanter.

Kanter was acquired during last February’s NBA trade deadline, an unexpected move that came after days of rumored interest in Brooklyn’s Brook Lopez. He played in 26 games for the Thunder, averaging 18.7 points and 11 rebounds per game.

Good numbers to be sure, but that hasn’t stopped the critics from questioning OKC’s decision to bring back Kanter. Is he just a one-sided player? Is it too much money? Could it cost the team a chance at retaining their other superstars in the future?

The questions makes sense, too. After four seasons in the NBA, Kanter’s been labeled a locker room distraction and a player more committed to individual production than team wins. Being traded from the team that drafted him certainly didn’t help nor did Utah’s suddenly winning ways after dealing him to Oklahoma City.

But that hasn’t stopped many Thunder fans from being optimistic about the deal.

So why the discrepancy? Rarely is a move like this flow so freely between the different ends of the approval spectrum.  It’s a high-risk/high-reward move and one that, as many have noted, was absolutely necessary:

Ultimately, we won’t know exactly how the move will pay off for OKC but it’s still important to break down its potential impact to the roster, the team’s finances and a future that seems to hinge on one make-or-break season.

Next: More Money, More Problems???