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.