88. Enes Kanter, C, Thunder
Enes Kanter’s basketball biography would be titled, “From Unstoppable To Unplayable (And Back Again).” The 2016 playoffs provided the latest example of Kanter’s vacillating worth: After relentlessly pounding the Spurs in the West semis, the Thunder’s polarizing big man was played off the court by the Warriors in the West finals. Kanter’s story is similar to many other big men who are trying to find a home in the changing NBA game: he’s a terror on the boards and he’s a low-post scoring machine, but his lack of rim-protecting ability and his molasses lateral quickness make him a major liability on the other end. Oklahoma City smartly moved Kanter (12.7 PPG, 8.1 RPG) to the bench last season, where he drew Sixth Man of the Year buzz by having his way with second-unit big men offensively and hiding (to a degree) defensively. The off-season departures of Kevin Durant and Serge Ibaka will force Billy Donovan to make wholesale changes next season, which could be both good and bad for the 24-year-old Kanter. On the plus side, he should expect more minutes, more shots and more time playing with pick-and-roll partner Russell Westbrook. Unfortunately, though, his funnel-like defense will also be on full display now that Oklahoma City no longer has much protective length. Most likely, the debate over Kanter’s worth will remain unresolved by this time next season, although the volume of discourse could be significantly louder now that more will be asked of him. (Last year: Not ranked)
+ His 16.7 Offensive Rebound Percentage led the NBA last season
+ The Kanter/Westbrok duo posted an excellent off. rating (120) in '16 (via NBAWowy.com)
– His -1.50 Defensive Real Plus Minus ranked 50th out of 51 centers
– He looks like he’s ice-skating in a sandbox when he switches defensively onto guards
