Ok, Kam you have complained about Kanter's no-showing against stronger C's/teams. But the one-game I Told You So, rubbed me the wrong way. But I just don't get the Kant animus. He's almost certainly a placeholder this year keeping down the C position as best he can. And less than halfway through the year, Fizz is already experimenting with General Tsao as our stretch 5. And Mitch will be back soonish (I'd imagine).
Does anyone have Kant as our longterm C?
KZ, Mitch and Kornet are our yute brigade at the 5. But for now:
KZ still rehabbing. Mitch is raw (and out with an ankle). And Kornet a sharpshooting pup who can be banged around.
So Kant serves a useful purpose. Absorbing minutes (and should be protecting Egg Foo Too Yung from Gobert). Some games Kant totally beasts fools under the rim. Great hands, good work ethic, physical, fearless, and dexterous on putbacks. He's been fun to watch, easy to root for and a bright spot for much of this season. Unfortunately his defense is poor and he is no rim deterrent. And he clogs the paint on O. David Lee's bigger Turkish cousin.
And the NBA has changed. So Kant is most likely either a good-numbers-bad-team player, or a tough cover on a 2nd unit. If Knix extend him, I assume the latter would be his role. Which means he wouldn't get paid more than the mid-level (ie under $8.5M) and would be a bench/role player. I expect Kant will want and look for a bigger payday and role than that. I'd welcome him back at say $6M if he was willing to take on that role (I again, I doubt he wants that).