Report: Kanter leaning toward opting in with Knicks

Enes Kanter is "leaning heavily" toward opting in on the final year of his contract with the New York Knicks, sources told ESPN's Ian Begley. Kanter has until Friday to do so, or opt out and become an unrestricted free agent.

It would be a change in tone from April, when the big man said he was considering opting out in hopes he could command a larger contract from the Knicks. However, team president Steve Mills later said that if Kanter wished to stay in New York, he would need to opt in.

In other words, the Knicks have little interest in giving more money and term to Kanter, who while a useful offensive player, remains a defensive liability. His net rating of minus-6.2 was the worst among the Knicks' regular rotation players.

Kanter's player option for next season is worth $18.6 million.