The Portland Trail Blazers landed big man Enes Kanter, reaching an agreement on a deal that will keep him in Portland through the rest of the 2018-19 season and bolster the Blazers’ bench for a push to reach new heights in this year’s playoffs.

While players in the buyout market aren’t usually top tier talent, Kanter brings both reliable interior scoring and rebounding to a team that can use it. Likely coming off the bench, Kanter will bring averages of 14 points and 10.5 rebounds a game to Portland. He was solid with the Knicks offensively this season, but drew a lot of criticism for being a liability on the defensive end. But while many fans in Portland seem to be excited about the move, others have questions about how he might fit into the rotation and how head coach Terry Stotts might struggle to keep everyone happy with their roles on this team.

With that in mind, here’s a look at what Trail Blazers fans, local media, national basketball writers and NBA players are saying about the Trail Blazers signing of Enes Kanter:

ENES KANTER, LETS GOOOOO — Evan Turner (@thekidet) February 13, 2019

Solid job of hitting singles for Portland in the last 10 days. The Trail Blazers have turned Wade Baldwin/Nik Stauskas into Rodney Hood and now Enes Kanter on the buyout market. — Bobby Marks (@BobbyMarks42) February 13, 2019

The Celtics, Rockets, Lakers and Nets all wanted Kanter. This is a significant signing for the Blazers. They’re never a legit player in the buyout market. I’m impressed. — Jared Cowley (@jaredcowley) February 13, 2019

Kanter a strong rebounder with some post moves. Defense is a weak point, but it's not like the buyout market is flooded with blue chip assets. This is a good signing by Portland. — David MacKay (@DavidMacKayNBA) February 13, 2019

The Kanter and Hood moves show a push to go deep in the playoffs this season, something we've wanted Olshey to go out on a limb and do. The silver lining: Blazers only lost 2 non-rotation players and a 2nd round pick for them — Nate Mann (@nate_mann13) February 13, 2019

Kanter signing is the rare unqualified success for the Blazers. No downsides whatsoever. — Eric Griffith (@EricG_NBA) February 13, 2019

Kanter has his flaws, but in a bench role, he can be a positive for a Blazers team with a bench unit that struggles to score. Especially on the road. https://t.co/AXcjslZeCl — Nate Jones (@JonesOnTheNBA) February 13, 2019

Kanter doesn’t need Dame to facilitate in order to score, so he’s perfect for the 2nd unit. Given that they now have a focal point for scoring in the 2nd unit, I think they should move Jake Layman to the starting lineup or at least have him play more of his minutes with Nurk/Dame — Nate Jones (@JonesOnTheNBA) February 13, 2019

There will likely be some feelings hurt in the process, but Stotts has to do what’s best for winning. To me, Dame, CJ, Nurk, Chief, Layman, Kanter, Hood, ET are the top 8. Everyone else should just play based on match ups. — Nate Jones (@JonesOnTheNBA) February 13, 2019

I've admired Kanter's game for a while and think he'll be a solid addition to the bench and major Nurk insurance ... Blazers have missed Ed's rebounding ability and Enes provides just that #RipCity — Dustin Hawes (@DHawes22) February 13, 2019

Will someone in print media please ask the newest Trail Blazer how he feels about Oregon's indigenous fruits?



I'd like to read the Kanter Berry Tales. — David Deckard (@DaveDeckard) February 13, 2019

THE REST OF THE LEAGUE WHEN THEY FIND OUT WE GOT KANTER pic.twitter.com/TsJ4Q57YkX — J🏀HN🍕🌹🌊 (@pdxbrocialite) February 13, 2019

ET and Kanter on the same team? Personality wise this team is about to be entertaining as hell. #RipCity — Chris Burkhardt (@CBurkhardtNBCS) February 13, 2019

Basically Stotts gotta run Kanter and Nurkic out a couple times a game just to lay people out. — My Full Name is Michael Francis Acker (@mikeacker) February 13, 2019

Enes Kanter - Eanes Karnter - Ianes Karmtel - Ian Karmel.



Think about it. — Ianes Karmter (@IanKarmel) February 13, 2019

Enes Kanter Enes Kanter Enes Kanter Enes Kanter (Sorry just trying to get my phone to stop autocorrecting to Need Kanye) — Ashtyn Butuso (@lil_buts) February 13, 2019

Trading for Rodney Hood and signing Enes Kanter, this last week is what back to back nba titles are made of — Yu (@YucciMane) February 13, 2019

I’ve never seen a player so excited to go to a new team - Kanter already changed his profile on every social media account to a photoshopped pic of himself wearing a Blazers uniform😂🙌🏼 — Mila Mimica (@MilaMimica1) February 13, 2019

Neil Olshey single handedly raising the Muslim population in Portland



Nurkic

Al-farouq

Kanter — Brandon Lyons (@notbrandonlyons) February 13, 2019

Enes Kanter looking at Meyers Leonard pic.twitter.com/ghmqiubVp0 — Drew Allworth (@drewallworth) February 13, 2019

Yeah Kanter will definitely help 🙄 pic.twitter.com/koF0QohB3c — Pat Heery (@pheery12) February 13, 2019

I heard @Enes_Kanter is a fan of burgers. Well, there’s no better place for burgers than Portland! Welcome to RIP CITY!!!! #chipbound — Phillip Jackson (@PoophatPhil) February 14, 2019

We got Hood and Kanter for essentially nothing to fill our bench. Neil did pretty well here... — Justin Woodard (@jtwoodard89) February 14, 2019

I LOVE the Kanter pick up — Sean (@SPbeavs) February 14, 2019

Kanter to Portland is solid. #RipCity — T o b i n ’ s H a r r i e r ™ (@keenan__jones) February 14, 2019

Kanter to the Blazers makes no sense — Daniel R Gonźalez (28-29) (@JabronyLin43) February 14, 2019

The signing of Enes Kanter shows a few things, two of them being: MEYERS SUCKS and won’t be getting anymore time, Zach Collins’ development has stagnant and I like the guy but “foundational piece” per NO might be in danger... maybe? — Clem Ent (@clemsaucy) February 13, 2019

Honestly Kanter is the one buyout guy I was hoping the Blazers would go after. He is a better option than Leonard/Collins at this point and helps for depth in the front court. https://t.co/ZXzMjBwe9P — Tye Forshee (@tyefor) February 13, 2019

Collins and Meyers aren’t guys you want big minutes or at all come post season. Hood & Kanter are both great pick ups that will help you win a 1st round match up. — Jason Hassler (@jhassler80) February 13, 2019

Seems like Olshey gave playing time assurances to Kanter, your move Terry — Seth Johnston (@sethbawl) February 13, 2019