The Boston Celtics are adding a familiar face in free agency.
Veteran big man Enes Kanter has agreed to a one-year contract with the Celtics, The Athletic's Shams Charania reported Wednesday. The Boston Globe's Adam Himmelsbach reports Kanter's deal is worth $2.7 million, which is well under Boston's $5.7 million taxpayer midlevel exception.
The 29-year-old spent the 2019-20 season in Boston, averaging 8.1 points and 7.4 rebounds over 16.9 minutes per game as a serviceable backup big man. He enjoyed a strong season for the Portland Trail Blazers in 2020-21, averaging a double-double (11.2 points, 11.0 rebounds) while starting in 35 of a possible 72 contests.
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Forsberg: How C's can create cap space to pursue a star like Beal
The Boston Herald's Mark Murphy recently reported the Celtics were unlikely to use their midlevel exception this offseason while maintaining cap flexibility.
New president of basketball operations Brad Stevens knows what he's getting in Kanter, though, and $2.7 million is a small price to pay for some solid frontcourt depth.