Will he stay or will he go now? Kanter opt-in or out thread

NomarsFool

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My $0.02: I think Kanter enjoyed his time on this team, but I think he also sees the writing on the wall. I believe his role next season will be even less than it was this year, which leaves him with little opportunity for a decent contract after next season. His best financial move is to go to a team where he will see more consistent minutes.
 

ElcaballitoMVP

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My $0.02: I think Kanter enjoyed his time on this team, but I think he also sees the writing on the wall. I believe his role next season will be even less than it was this year, which leaves him with little opportunity for a decent contract after next season. His best financial move is to go to a team where he will see more consistent minutes.
I agree the writing is on the wall, so I think he opts out. If he opts in, he could very well be flipped and included in a trade using his $5M to help balance out a deal for someone Danny likes. If Kanter's camp thinks he's likely to be traded, I would think he'd prefer to pick where he plays. He can probably find a 1 or 2 year deal at that money on the free agent market.

For Boston, I think they would look to move him in a deal and eventually replace him with someone who's more athletic and a better defender. I loved Kanter on this team. I would not be upset if he picked up his option and Danny kept him, he's useful and by all accounts a good teammate. I just don't see a big role for him. Theis is great when he's not guarding guys like Bam. Timelord took a big step forward and needs more minutes. Grant Williams can play C in the small ball lineups. And who knows what they plan to do with Tako.
 

OurF'ingCity

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I agree the writing is on the wall, so I think he opts out. If he opts in, he could very well be flipped and included in a trade using his $5M to help balance out a deal for someone Danny likes. If Kanter's camp thinks he's likely to be traded, I would think he'd prefer to pick where he plays. He can probably find a 1 or 2 year deal at that money on the free agent market.
Kanter can opt-out and "pick where he plays" only in the sense that he can go to a below-cap team. That pretty significantly limits his options if he wants to play on a contender. Obviously if he just wants to maximize his earnings that is less of a concern, but even then there is the more general risk that due to a lower cap he can't find a team willing to pay him $5m.

I suspect that he will opt-in to lock in that $5 million given the uncertainty about the market this offseason, even if he assumes he's likely to be traded. And certainly that would be a win for the Celtics for salary matching purposes if they want to, for example, trade some of their picks and/or their younger, cheaper players for a more established veteran.
 

NomarsFool

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Kanter can opt-out and "pick where he plays" only in the sense that he can go to a below-cap team. That pretty significantly limits his options if he wants to play on a contender. Obviously if he just wants to maximize his earnings that is less of a concern, but even then there is the more general risk that due to a lower cap he can't find a team willing to pay him $5m.
All things being equal, playing for a contender is more fun. But, he's also got to think of business implications and his window of setting up his family for long-term financial stability is limited. Given the detritus that gets double digit contracts, I'd be very surprised if no one will pay him more than $5 million. I don't think his agent will tell him that.
 

PedroKsBambino

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I'd guess he has a pretty open dsicussion and the deadlines matter. Celtics view of Kanter is hard to discern----he got good run in regular season, but you have to think they realize they can't use him in many playoff matchups. He likely wants a shot at more, but is limited by the market and does seem to like Boston.

My guess is if they tell him he'll have a similar role to this year he opts in, and if they tell him he's a bit player he opts out.

I like him more than most, but looking at roster and options I tend to think best if he moves on.
 

ElcaballitoMVP

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Kanter can opt-out and "pick where he plays" only in the sense that he can go to a below-cap team. That pretty significantly limits his options if he wants to play on a contender. Obviously if he just wants to maximize his earnings that is less of a concern, but even then there is the more general risk that due to a lower cap he can't find a team willing to pay him $5m.

I suspect that he will opt-in to lock in that $5 million given the uncertainty about the market this offseason, even if he assumes he's likely to be traded. And certainly that would be a win for the Celtics for salary matching purposes if they want to, for example, trade some of their picks and/or their younger, cheaper players for a more established veteran.
Yeah you could certainly be right. It all comes down to whether he feels like he can get something close to $5M from a team he wants to play for, or opt-in to guarantee the money and just play wherever he ends up if they move him. At 28, he probably believes he's got some good years left and would like to pick a place he knows he's going to play more minutes. Even if the offers disappoint and he ends up in the $3.5-4M range, he can take a 1 year deal in a place he knows he's going to play and try again next year when, hopefully, the economics and cap situations are in a better place and he's fresh off a season where he's back to playing 20-25 minutes a night and averaging close to a double-double again.

What's the salary cap for next season? $115M or staying around $109 or are they potentially lowering it? I can't find any new info on it. Say it stays at $109M, without looking at each team's individual contract situations & who they need to resign, you've got these teams at 104M or lower (to give him the $5M): WAS, MEM, SAC, MIN, TOR, PHO, NO, NYK, MIA, and a few others he probably wouldn't consider without a big offer. Not all will be interested in him, but there are some interesting looking options there.
 

DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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If Kanter's market wasn't great last offseason, what makes anyone think it will be better in the midst of a pandemic with uncertain deadlines and even more data from the post-season that Kanter has a very specific value? Its also worth wondering how comfortable he is joining yet another team after playing for five different clubs in nine seasons.
 

jon abbey

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All things being equal, playing for a contender is more fun. But, he's also got to think of business implications and his window of setting up his family for long-term financial stability is limited. Given the detritus that gets double digit contracts, I'd be very surprised if no one will pay him more than $5 million. I don't think his agent will tell him that.
He’s made around $100M in his career so far, I think his family is probably OK.
 

Dduncan6er

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What would happen to Kanter's value if he developed a 3 point shot? Celtics sure could use a big who can shoot, and watching him it looks like he has that potential.
He’s still almost unplayable in most match ups in the playoffs because his defense is so bad. No lateral quickness and can’t defend the rim.
 

slamminsammya

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What would happen to Kanter's value if he developed a 3 point shot? Celtics sure could use a big who can shoot, and watching him it looks like he has that potential.
He's already a pretty good offensive player, and stepping out to the three point line would negate his impact on the offensive glass which is a big component of his value there. His issue is the defense. Not sure adding an outside shot really adds much for him.
 

chilidawg

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He’s still almost unplayable in most match ups in the playoffs because his defense is so bad. No lateral quickness and can’t defend the rim.
Right, I think I'm pretty aware of that. Brad did a good enough job of hiding those deficiencies that he did have a significantly positive net impact when on the floor, both in the playoffs and during the regular season. One thing that stands out to me though is the lack of a 5 who can stretch the floor and create more space for the wings to drive. Even though it takes him away from one strength (offensive rebounding), it could create on court value in other ways.
 

benhogan

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There are over a dozen classic veteran 5s on the market. They are not getting paid.

Kanter will opt-in and gladly take his $5MM

Brad will find specific matchups to play him in during the season.

He's fine at that price.
 

scottyno

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I'd guess he has a pretty open dsicussion and the deadlines matter. Celtics view of Kanter is hard to discern----he got good run in regular season, but you have to think they realize they can't use him in many playoff matchups. He likely wants a shot at more, but is limited by the market and does seem to like Boston.
While this is true, he's still very useful against 2 teams that could end up among the best in the east for awhile, philly if they can figure things out (assuming they keep embiid) and miami with bam as long as he doesn't develop a 3 point shot, and he was a huge part of sweeping philly. I think that's easily worth his salary to the Cs.
 

PedroKsBambino

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While this is true, he's still very useful against 2 teams that could end up among the best in the east for awhile, philly if they can figure things out (assuming they keep embiid) and miami with bam as long as he doesn't develop a 3 point shot, and he was a huge part of sweeping philly. I think that's easily worth his salary to the Cs.
I agree as to philly. I think we just saw pretty clearly that he is a problem, not a part of the solution, vs Bam.
 

reggiecleveland

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I would bet money he opts in. Had they never came back to the bubble, he probably considers opting out since his regular season was pretty good. But, his team was getting killed, at both ends by forwards, and he sat. That has to raise alarm bells.

He was a bit of a whipping boy around here for his D, since Kemba will probably get more screen time in the Heat highlights reel than Jimmy Butler. The often wished for Timelord is a turnstyle when anybody drives too. There is a give and take to a bad defender

But, unless they are committed to giving him the ball, and Tatum, Hayward, Brown treated him like he was invisible, he is unplayable. Certainly didn't get the impression anybody got crap from the coaches for missing him when Herro was guarding him in the post. AThe way they used him was like playing 2018 JD Martinez in RF, throwing every pitch on the 1st base side of homeplate, batting him 9th, then pinch hitting Brock Holt for him his 1st or 2nd at bat.

A few times Tatum seemed visibly miffed Kanter grabbed an uncontested board, rather than doing a Steven Adams, to Tatum's Westbook and let all easy boards go to the star.
 

EL Jeffe

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I thought Kanter did a credible job against Embiid this season, and he's one of only a handful of guys in the league who have the size and strength to body him in the paint. That alone carries enough value for a 15th man roster spot; it just comes down to whether Kanter wants and thinks he can get a bigger role elsewhere. If he leaves, so be it. Maybe Tacko puts on some good weight over the next few months and plays the role of Designated Embiid Defender for 5-10 games a season. Plus, at least Tacko is fun.
 

scottyno

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I agree as to philly. I think we just saw pretty clearly that he is a problem, not a part of the solution, vs Bam.
He ended up a slightly net positive for the series, very good in spurts the first 3 games, not good in game 6, overall he didn't get abused vs Bam
 

PedroKsBambino

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I don’t agree that is true as to Bam—I thought Brad used him tactically some when Bam was out and Kanter played very well then. I’d be surprised if many thought Kanter demonstrated he was at all credible vs Bam
 

scottyno

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I don’t agree that is true as to Bam—I thought Brad used him tactically some when Bam was out and Kanter played very well then. I’d be surprised if many thought Kanter demonstrated he was at all credible vs Bam
His game 2 stretch where he was great was all against Bam. Game 3 limited minutes were mostly with Bam off. Game 5 was half bam half not. Game 6 when he was his worst was with Bam out.

So overall a mixed bag, though his worst times were when Bam was off the court.
 

PedroKsBambino

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I think game 2 is only data he was credible—rest of the games he was very bad against Bam. To my prior point, he also had a lot of non-Bam minutes in which I thought he was pretty solid. That’s just who is he is