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Former New York Knicks center Enes Kanter has agreed to a deal with the Portland Trail Blazers, reports ESPN NBA Insider Adrian Wojnarowski. After the Knicks failed to trade Kanter at the NBA Trade Deadline, talks advanced towards a buyout.
Enes Kanter has agreed to a deal with Portland, league sources tell ESPN
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 13, 2019
Kanter's agent Mark Bartelstein confirms deal to ESPN now, too.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 13, 2019
Blazers beat a crowded field for Kanter, including the Lakers, per sources. Kanter is an important addition for Blazers, where he'll play a good share of minutes. Portland signed Kanter to a $70M offer sheet in 2015, which OKC matched. https://t.co/1Qdd1Ff43G
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 13, 2019
Kanter took to Twitter to confirm the deal.
#RipCity pic.twitter.com/4dTLXyZedg
— Enes Kanter (@Enes_Kanter) February 13, 2019
The Blazers signed Kanter to a four-year, $70 million offer sheet in the summer of 2015 before the Oklahoma City Thunder matched it.
Kanter has averaged 14.0 points and 10.5 rebounds per game for the Knicks this season in 25.6 minutes per game. He started in 23 of his 44 appearances.
Update: At least one of Kanter’s new teammates is a fan of the deal.
ENES KANTER, LETS GOOOOO
— Evan Turner (@thekidet) February 13, 2019