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Portland Trail Blazers: Pros and Cons to bringing back Enes Kanter

By Stevie Cozens

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - APRIL 18: Enes Kanter #11 of the Portland Trail Blazers is guarded by P.J. Washington #25 of the Charlotte Hornets in the third quarter during their game at Spectrum Center on April 18, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - APRIL 18: Enes Kanter #11 of the Portland Trail Blazers is guarded by P.J. Washington #25 of the Charlotte Hornets in the third quarter during their game at Spectrum Center on April 18, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. 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. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images) /
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Portland Trail Blazers big man Enes Kanter had a huge 2021 season. The Turkish strong man had one of the most productive seasons of his NBA career, averaging career high’s in multiple areas.

The Blazers are at a tough juncture though. They are over the salary cap, likely to be close to the luxury tax, and only have their mini mid-level exception to bring players back. With an urgent need to upgrade their defense, they are in a tough spot.

Here are the pro’s and con’s of the Portland Trail Blazers bringing Enes Kanter back in 2022

Pro – Enes Kanter may be the best rebounder in the NBA

Size has been a problem for the Blazers for the last few seasons. With the constant injuries to Jusuf Nurkic and Zach Collins, small ball fours and fives or players playing out of position have impacted the Blazers ability to get stops or rebound the ball.

In Kanter, they have one of the best hustle big body types in the league.

Few players have his eye for the ball on the defensive glass, or his ability to clean the glass on the defensive end and deny extra opportunities for the opposition.

Look at his records as a rebounder.

30th all-time in defensive rebound percentage, 6th all-time in offensive rebound percentage.

This means, minute for minute, that he is one of the best rebounders in NBA History.

This season, when the Blazers had CJ McCollum and Nurkic out, Kanter stepped up to start and basically kept the season aside alongside Damian Lillard. Grabbing an amazing 3.9 offensive rebounds per game this season, he added a lot of value as one of the best rebounders in the league.