Free-agent center Enes Kanter agrees to 1-year deal with Celtics: Sources

Posted by Artie Phelan on Monday, April 29, 2024

Free-agent center Enes Kanter has agreed to a one-year deal with the Boston Celtics, sources told The Athletic's Shams Charania on Wednesday.

Kanter, 29, returns to Boston after spending last season with the Portland Trail Blazers, where he averaged 11.2 points and 11 rebounds in 72 games (35 starts). He averaged 8.1 points and 7.4 rebounds with the Celtics in the shortened 2019-20 season.

The Celtics and Kanter are working out a deal for likely a portion of the mid-level exception (MLE), sources tell The Athletic. Kanter's salary is still being figured out as the team settles its salary cap situation.

During NBA free agency, Boston lost Evan Fournier to the New York Knicks and forward Semi Ojeleye, who signed with the Milwaukee Bucks as a potential replacement for P.J. Tucker.

(Photo: Sam Forencich / NBAE via Getty Images)

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Enes Kanter is returning to the Celtics. Here’s what it means for Boston

How Kanter fits

Jay King, Celtics beat writer: The Celtics know Kanter’s game well. He is one of the best offensive rebounders alive, can put the ball in the hoop and should provide instant offense off the bench.

With Robert Williams’s injury history and Al Horford’s age, the Celtics needed a reliable third center. Kanter gives Ime Udoka another productive option. Kanter has limitations, but he has typically been a good regular-season player and the Celtics shouldn’t need to use him much in the playoffs as long as they are healthy.

On a cheap, one-year contract, Brad Stevens just added a big man who averaged a double-double last season for a playoff team. That’s good value, at least.

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What’s next for the Celtics?

King: They have been relatively quiet so far in free agency.

Stevens could still look to expand the Tristan Thompson trade to bring back further veteran help, but has an obvious eye on the Celtics’ future financial situation.

They have avoided adding long-term salary and appear set on setting themselves up with a path to clear maximum cap space next summer, when Bradley Beal could be a free agent.

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