Boston Celtics veteran center Enes Kanter has opted into the final season of his current deal, worth just over $5 million, per multiple sources.
The outspoken Turkish big man was widely believed to be planning to do so with little likelihood of a better market in a cap-crunched offseason, though his future with the team is far from decided given teams around the league’s cap space is not the only thing dealing with a crunch.
In addition to the potential interest in reducing salary Boston might have, they also have too many players under contract, and may be holding up their draft-night deal to send Kanter to the Memphis Grizzlies along with the No. 30 pick.
Boston Celtics center Enes Kanter has opted into his $5 million contract for the 2020-21 season, a league source tells ESPN.
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) November 19, 2020
In a normal season, there might be greater demand for Kanter’s services, given he was much more help than many of his detractors frame his play this season, even helping the team advance in a postseason series.
At least for now, the gregarious big will be a part of the Celtics’ future; whether that continues past this week will soon be revealed.
