Damian Lillard Says Trail Blazers Gave Enes Kanter 45 Minutes to Re-Sign, Not 6
Written by SOURCE on July 2, 2019
Before he decided to sign a two-year contract worth $10 million with the Boston Celtics earlier today, Enes Kanter claims that he considered re-upping with the Portland Trail Blazers, but the organization didn’t give him enough time to reach a decision.
In a text sent to ESPN’s Marc J. Spears, Kanter says he was given only six minutes to decide, and after being pressured into determining his future with the team in such a short period, he decided to not return.
Damian Lillard defended the Trail Blazers’ front office enforcing a tight deadline on Kanter, but also clarified that the big man was given more like 45 minutes, not six.
Lillard did admit that giving someone 45 minutes to decide their future still wasn’t enough time, but given the frenetic pace at which the first day of NBA free agency was operating, the Blazers couldn’t afford to be overly patient and run the risk of missing out on their other targets.
The Trail Blazers have since filled the void left by Kanter’s departure with the acquisition of Hassan Whiteside from the Miami Heat as part of a four-team trade which also involved the Philadelphia 76ers, and Los Angeles Clippers.
