Sources: Restricted free agent Enes Kanter signs $70 million max offer sheet with Blazers
Oklahoma City restricted free-agent center Enes Kanter signed a four-year, $70 million maximum contract offer sheet Thursday with the Portland Trail Blazers, league sources told Yahoo Sports.
Enes’ deal includes a player option on the fourth year, and a 15 percent trade kicker bonus.
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.
The Thunder acquired Kanter as part of a three-way deal in February with Utah. Kanter, 23, was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2011 NBA draft.
