Who would the OKC Thunder protect in an Expansion Draft?

Who would the Thunder protect in an Expansion Draft?

EDMOND, OK - MARCH 30: The Oklahoma City Thunder team poses for a team photo on March 30, 2017 at the Integris Health Thunder Development Center in Edmond, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Layne Murdoch/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK- APRIL 21: Enes Kanter #11 of the OKC Thunder boxes out Clint Cappella #15 of the Houston Rockets during Game Three of the Western Conference Quarterfinals of the 2017 NBA Playoffs on April 21, 2017 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Enes Kanter

It’s been well documented that Kanter has a poor contract for the value he brings to the team. However, Kanter has a clear and definitive role that the Thunder can take advantage of. There will be nights that Kanter can give the Thunder 20 points and 12 rebounds. If he can learn to shoot three pointers on a consistent basis, his game will only continue to improve and he will help the Thunder space the floor.

The big argument against protecting Kanter is that his contract won’t be appealing to a new team. The Thunder’s strategy could be to risk letting Kanter go in order to protect player on more appealing contracts. At worst, you are opening up large amounts of cap space for the next two seasons.

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