Enes Kanter is returning to Portland after the Trail Blazers completed a 3-team deal with the Boston Celtics and Memphis Grizzlies. Portland recently landed Robert Covington from the Houston Rockets and they aren’t done improving the roster. Kanter returns to the Blazers after having a great 2019 season with the team, even reaching the Western Conference Finals.
He didn’t have the best tenure in Boston and now he’s crossing paths with Portland once again. ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski explains that Memphis gets Mario Hezonjia and the 30th pick (Desmond Bane) from draft night while the Celtics get a future Memphis draft consideration.
Portland is acquiring Boston's Enes Kanter in a three-way deal with Memphis, sources tell ESPN. Memphis gets Mario Hezonjia and 30th pick (Desmond Bane) from draft night deal as part of trade too. Celtics get a future Memphis draft consideration.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 20, 2020
Enes’ $5 million contract will be absorbed into Portland’s $7 million trade exception that was created last season in Kent Bazemore’s trade.
Kanter ($5M) slides into Portland's $7M trade exception and resumes the model at center — Nurkic and Kanter — that helped lead Portland to WCF. Nurkic got hurt late that season, but now he'll be starter with Kanter as backup. Zach Collins is recovering from ankle surgery. https://t.co/2bK5jvWE3F
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 20, 2020
Kanter is happy with this move, as he took to Twitter to show his excitement about his reunion with the Blazers.
Home Sweet Home ❤️🖤
— Enes Kanter FREEDOM (@EnesFreedom) November 20, 2020
🏠
— Enes Kanter FREEDOM (@EnesFreedom) November 20, 2020
He called Portland ‘home,’ demonstrating that he missed the place.
