As Enes Kanter holds camps in OKC it raises questions of OKC Thunder missed opportunity

Former OKC Thunder center Enes Kanter returned to Oklahoma City to host two camps and his presence raises the question of how the team missed the boat in adding him in the buyout market.

With Enes Kanter in town this past weekend to run two basketball camps, his presence reminds of how much he loved playing for the OKC Thunder. Moreover, he remains one of the most beloved former players.

Kanter is running two basketball camps in Oklahoma, the first was in Edmund and the second in Oklahoma City.

As per Brian Brinkley of Oklahoma News 4:

"The kids enjoyed free pizza, free t-shirts, and Kanter was even wearing a “Stache Brothers” t-shirt in tribute to his former OKC teammate Steven Adams.Kanter is also working in conjunction with the Children’s Hospital to create a research fund to help children battling health issues in Oklahoma."

https://twitter.com/Enes_Kanter/status/1134619374860623873

The second camp occurred in Oklahoma City Kanter marking his eighth of 42 scheduled to occur this summer with the side theme of anti-bullying.

While Kanter’s exit from OKC was likely necessary at the time it ended up coming back to haunt the Thunder this postseason. It was presumed Steven Adams his fellow Stache Brother would have the clear advantage in the first round series but if we are honest the exact opposite was the case.

https://twitter.com/Enes_Kanter/status/1135225564338503680

When Kanter departed OKC it was on the heels of Billy Donovan‘s now infamous on-air mouthing “we can’t play Kanter”.  Seemingly this was an accurate take especially with Kanter in pick and roll defensive situations. This issue continued with the Knicks but it was not the case in Portland. The Kanter whisperer, Terry Stotts not only found a way to play Kanter but he was able to do so with confidence. This is yet another reason why Thunder Head Coach Billy Donovan should remain under the microscope. Or at least, in this household he does.

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Kanter credited his surge defensively in the postseason because of the trust Stotts put in him and for taking the time to show him the film and teach him how to improve.

Kanter’s offense has never been an issue. The big man scores rebounds and is an above average passing talent. Now that he’s proven he can also be serviceable on defense his offseason asking price will be higher than it would’ve had he not landed in Portland.

Granted, when he arrived at Portland it was expected he would be put into a backup role. But, shortly after inking a contract with the Blazers Jusuf Nurkic suffered a horrendous injury, breaking his leg.

Kanter not only stepped into the starters role he seized the opportunity to showcase his growth. Additionally, he earned the respect of his peers and the NBA by playing through a separated shoulder and whatever other ailments he was dealing with.

It has to be said the OKC Thunder likely missed the boat in not grabbing him themselves. Kanter advised he spoke to the Blazers, Lakers, and Thunder but it was Portland who went above and beyond with frequent calls from Stotts, Lillard, and others to lure him to their team.

As he enters free agency the fact Nurkic will miss significant time next year likely means he’ll lean to re-signing with the Blazers if the price is right. And, while I still think the OKC Thunder could be in the running as long as Donovan is the head coach it’s less likely he’d be open to a return to OKC.