Sources: Knicks center Enes Kanter exercises $18.6 million option to return to team

Enes Kanter averaged 14.1 points, 11 rebounds and 1.5 assists last season. (AP)
Enes Kanter averaged 14.1 points, 11 rebounds and 1.5 assists last season. (AP)

New York Knicks center Enes Kanter exercised his $18.6 million player option for the 2018-19 season and will return to the team, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

Kanter picked up the option before Friday’s deadline. The 26-year-old Kanter surveyed the market and the possibility of entering free agency, but is expected to receive more interest next offseason. Kanter is in the final year of a four-year contract he signed in 2015.

Kanter joined the Knicks in the Carmelo Anthony trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder last fall and became a fan favorite. In 71 games last season, Kanter averaged 14.1 points, 11 rebounds and 1.5 assists.

The 6-foot-11 Kanter, a skilled offensive talent, has played seven NBA seasons with Utah, Oklahoma City and New York. He has career averages of 11.7 points and 7.3 rebounds. Kanter was the No. 3 overall pick in the 2011 draft.

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