Enes Kanter may have played his final game for the Utah Jazz on Wednesday as reports revealed that the fourth-year center has openly asked his team to trade him before the deadline on Feb. 19, the Salt Lake Tribune reported.
Kanter expressed frustration after playing just 18 minutes in their 87-82 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday. The 22-year-old center was not used in the fourth quarter allegedly because of an eye injury, but the Swiss big man reiterated that the benching had nothing to do with any injury.
"It was not my eye at all. I don't know what it was, but it was not my eye at all," Kanter said after the game. "So we'll see what's going to happen."
Kanter, who was selected third overall in the 2011 NBA Draft, has been open about his frustration over his role, especially when he had limited playing time under then-Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin.
Even with Quin Snyder at helm, Kanter has been discontented with his role as he is sharing minutes and responsibilities with Derrick Favors, Rudy Gobert and Trevor Booker.
Max Ergul, Kanter's agent, confirmed that his client has been very frustrated with the limited role he is getting in Utah, which they believe is stunting the young center's development.
"I don't think it's a one-game, one-postgame-interview outburst," Ergul said in an interview with 1280 The Zone. "I think there's sensitivity to Enes related to his first couple years and how little he's been used. Him and his family, and, in some respects, I, do believe there was definitely some lack of investment in his development."
According to Ergul, Kanter is also concerned how his playing time will be affected by the strong performances of sophomore center Rudy Gobert, who has averaged 7.2 points to go along with 7.8 rebounds and 2.3 blocks in 25.2 minutes in six games this month.
"He became a little bit sensitive about the minutes distribution. He just wants to play," Ergul said of Kanter. "There are times this year his minutes have been a little bit inconsistent."
Kanter, who is averaging 13.8 points and 7.8 rebounds per game this season, will become a restricted free agent after the season. He could accept and sign offer sheet from other teams, but the Jazz will have the right to match any offer to keep Kanter in Utah.
