Report: Knicks, Kanter expected to discuss buyout after trade deadline

The New York Knicks seem to have a backup plan for Enes Kanter should they be unable to move the center ahead of Thursday's trade deadline.

If Kanter can't be moved, discussions on a buyout for his $18.6-million expiring contract are expected to begin as soon as the 3 p.m. ET deadline passes, league sources told ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.

The eight-year pro has only seen the floor three times over New York's last 12 games as the team finds itself in the midst of a league-worst 14-game losing skid. He played nine minutes in a 24-point loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Jan. 30, kissing center court as fans at Madison Square Garden showered him with applause.

With the Knicks prioritizing minutes for their young bigs - primarily Luke Kornet and Mitchell Robinson - Kanter has begrudgingly found himself on the outside looking in. A sitdown meeting with head coach David Fizdale in late January left Kanter feeling "sad" as the 26-year-old wants to compete.

Kanter made his way to the Big Apple in September 2017 after being traded from the Oklahoma City Thunder as part of a package for Carmelo Anthony. He's averaged 14 points and 10.5 rebounds across 115 appearances since then.