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Should The Phoenix Suns Trade For Enes Kanter?

By Gerald Bourguet

Feb 6, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Utah Jazz center Enes Kanter (0) dribbles against Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris (11) during the first half at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 6, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Utah Jazz center Enes Kanter (0) dribbles against Phoenix Suns forward Markieff Morris (11) during the first half at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /
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Enes Kanter
Feb 6, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Utah Jazz center Enes Kanter (0) and Phoenix Suns forward P.J. Tucker (17) look up at the ball during the first half at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

How It Works For The Suns

The Suns’ needs on the glass have been well-documented at this point. Phoenix surrenders 11.8 offensive boards per game (26th in the NBA) and 46.6 points in the paint per game (29th). Averaging 7.8 rebounds per game, Kanter would definitely help Phoenix’s rebounding.

He’s not much of an interior defender, but again, he’s only 22 years old so there’s always the chance he can improve on that end (though it’s not likely given how offensive-minded the Suns are). Offensively, Kanter averages 13.8 points in 27.1 minutes per game and could spread the floor with his midrange jump shot.

That would be a huge boost for the Suns, as it’s the reason why Phoenix feels so good about Alex Len on both sides of the ball; his ability to spread the floor as a stretch-five makes the Suns that much more difficult to stop.

But unlike Len, Kanter’s range extends to three-point territory now. He’s a 31.7 percent shooter from long range, but it’s a shot he’s only added to his arsenal this season. Something tells me in Phoenix he’d be able to improve those numbers from downtown with all the open looks he’d get on the perimeter.

The Suns are short on cap space heading into the summer as the roster currently stands. Goran Dragic, Gerald Green and Brandan Wright are all set to be free agents and the Suns definitely want to re-sign the Dragon if they can (though recent rumors suggest Phoenix might be willing to deal him for a first round draft pick).

However, if the Suns trade the right player or players (i.e. NOT the Dragon), they could conceivably keep Dragic and Kanter provided no one makes him an offer as a restricted free agent. Green and Wright would most likely become question marks, though it’s worth mentioning that Green and Miles Plumlee are probably already on the trade block.

Kanter’s not the game-changing interior defender the Suns need (and hope Len will develop into), but he’d automatically be the best rebounder on the roster and he could help offensively as well as Phoenix tries to continue its uphill playoff push.

Next: Complications And How It Works For The Jazz

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