Knicks' Kanter exercises $18.6M option

Center Enes Kanter will return to the New York Knicks next season after exercising his $18.6 million player option ahead of Friday's deadline to do so.

Kanter alluded to his decision in a tweet with the hashtag "#MakeKnicksGreatAgain."

Kanter, who had originally hoped to sign a long-term contract this summer, told ESPN in a phone interview he took out an insurance policy that will pay him $20 million if he suffers a career-threatening injury because he will be playing on a one-year deal.

Kanter averaged 14.1 points and 11.0 rebounds per game last season. His decision to exercise his option leaves the Knicks with little financial wiggle room to work with this offseason.

New York went 29-53 last season, missing the playoffs for a fifth straight campaign.

Kanter was traded to the Knicks last summer in the deal that sent Carmelo Anthony to Oklahoma City. The 26-year-old has played for three teams in seven NBA seasons and has a career scoring average of 11.7 points per game. Utah selected him with the third pick in the 2011 NBA Draft.

Kanter told the New York Post earlier this week that he is looking forward to playing for new coach David Fizdale.

"With Coach Fizdale, I want to stay more," Kanter said. "I know his mentality, I know how much freedom he gives to his players. It's going to help my decision for sure. I think he's going to change a lot of things."

The 6-foot-11 Kanter has established himself as the Knicks' starting center. The team's backup, Kyle O'Quinn, declined a player option for next season.

--Field Level Media