Thunder match Trail Blazers’ offer sheet for Enes Kanter

The Thunder always intended to retain Kanter, with general manager Sam Presti going as far as saying they would match any offers he received. The reason they didn’t sign him outright was to let the market set his price and save some money in the process. By signing an offer sheet with the Blazers, Kanter is now locked into 4.5 percent annual raises instead of the 7.5 percent bumps he would have received if he had signed an extension.

Despite Presti’s statements, there were doubts about whether the typically frugal Thunder ownership group would be willing to pay the luxury tax to retain the 23-year-old center. The Thunder were only $2.5 million below the tax line before matching the offer, which means they will pay almost double what Kanter’s salary figure is once the tax is included. After missing the playoffs last season, it seems everyone in the organization is committed to contending next year, no matter what it takes.

Kanter was traded to the Thunder at the deadline last season and proved to be a good complement to the offense, immediately developing a rapport in the pick and roll with Russell Westbrook. He also has a solid post game which could bring another dimension to Oklahoma City’s attack if he continues to hone it. The concerns about the Turkish center come on the other end, where he proved to be one of the worst defenders at his position.