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Kanter says he didn't fit the Jazz, happy to be in OKC

Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports

Newly acquired center Enes Kanter will not surprisingly get the start for the Oklahoma City Thunder on Saturday against the Charlotte Hornets, where he'll face off against his former Utah Jazz teammate Al Jefferson.

The Thunder traded for Kanter for several reasons, including the fact Steven Adams is slated to miss at least another week with a broken hand. As for why Kanter wanted out of Utah - the only place the Turkish big man had played in his four-year career - he had a pretty simple explanation Saturday.

"I just didn't see me as a fit there, I just wanted to go to another team and I'm happy it was OKC," said Kanter, according to Anthony Slater of The Oklahoman

The defensively challenged Kanter was competing for playing time on the Jazz with defensive standout Rudy Gobert. 

The dynamic is obviously different on an Oklahoma City team expected to make the playoffs, when you need multiple big bodies playing spring minutes against opponents like the Memphis Grizzlies

As a result, once Adams returns, the Thunder will need to rely on him as more of a straight-up defender - something that, for all Kendrick Perkins's flaws, was still in his wheelhouse. 

On the flip side, Kanter gives the Thunder the scoring center they've clearly been looking for.

Steve Novak, the man sent with Kanter from Utah to OKC, had a little fun at the center's expense. The little-used forward, who's been traded five times, told Slater that Kanter owes his wife an apology for causing the trade.

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