By ADAM ZAGORIA
The Knicks officially waived Enes Kanter and Wesley Matthews on Thursday after the NBA trade deadline passed without the team dealing either player.
ZAGSBLOG reported earlier Thursday that Kanter would be released.
“From the moment he arrived in New York, Enes passionately embraced our franchise and our city,” said GM Scott Perry. “He is a courageous individual and we thank him for his many contributions both on the court and in the community. We wish him the absolute best moving forward, personally and professionally.”
The 6-foot-11 Kanter, 26, is making $18.6 million this year on an expiring contract. The 6-5 Matthews played just two games with the Knicks and is also on an expiring contract worth $18.6 million. He is expected to sign with the Pacers, The Athletic reported. In a Twitter Post, Kanter said, “Each day I spend in the NBA is a blessing and I look forward to my next adventure. Today I have been released by the Knicks, which gives me the opportunity to sign with another team for the remainder of the season.”Kanter is averaging 14.0 points and 10.5 rebounds, but has been demoted to the fourth string behind DeAndre Jordan, Mitchell Robinson and Luke Kornet. Before the year began, head coach David Fizdale said Kanter could contend for the Sixth Man of the Year Award. “He’s a guy that with the numbers he’s going to get he’s going to have his hat in that Sixth Man of the Year Award,” Fizdale said. Kanter was a favorite of the fans and the media because of his outgoing, friendly personality and his enthusiasm for playing in New York. One of the highlights of Kanter’s time in New York came at media day last September when he said, “When I think about the playoffs, my nipples get hard.”#Mecca ?? pic.twitter.com/cMHUtMLb2T
— Enes Kanter (@Enes_Kanter) February 7, 2019
The Knicks are 10-43 and own the NBA’s worst record. They have a 14 percent chance at the No. 1 pick, expected to be Duke’s Zion Williamson. The Kanter move is the latest for the Knicks as they re-shape their roster heading into the summer. Last week they sent Kristaps Porzingis, Tim Hardaway Jr., Courtney Lee and Trey Burke to Dallas in a blockbuster trade aimed at clearing cap space. They are expected to target Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in free agency.“When I think about the playoffs, my nipples get hard” – @Enes_Kanter pic.twitter.com/v0GPleMwlq
— SNY (@SNYtv) September 24, 2018
The #Knicks will release @Enes_Kanter today, per League source.
— Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) February 7, 2019
Follow Adam Zagoria on Twitter And Like ZAGS on FacebookThe Knicks will be paying three players (Enes Kanter, Joakim Noah and Wes Matthews) that each earns over $18 million in annual salary to NOT play for them over the final three months of the 2018-19 season.
— Tommy Beer (@TommyBeer) February 7, 2019
