Thunder Say They’ll Match Blazers’ $70 Million Offer for Enes Kanter

The Portland Trail Blazers, looking to make up for LaMarcus Aldridge’s free agency departure, are reportedly offering Enes Kanter a four-year, $70 million deal.

According to OKC Thunder general manager Sam Presti, the restricted free agent big man isn’t going anywhere.

Kanter has reportedly inked the offer sheet from Portland, and the Thunder have until Sunday to match it.

Per Yahoo! Sports:

Kanter traveled to Portland on Thursday to sign the offer sheet, and it was sent via email on Thursday afternoon to Oklahoma City. The Thunder have until Sunday to match it and retain Kanter.

 

Oklahoma City will feel immense pressure to show star Kevin Durant a strong commitment to winning in the final year of his contract, and Kanter is an important part of the Thunder’s nucleus. The possibility of losing a young player of Kanter’s talent for no assets is extremely remote for the Thunder. GM Sam Presti had planned his payroll and roster for the possibility of a maximum offer sheet, sources said.

 

After losing All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge in free agency, the Blazers have $25 million in salary cap space.