By WFAN.com
A frustrated Enes Kanter had a message for the Knicks after not playing in Wednesday's game against the Houston Rockets: Play me or trade me.
The Knicks center said coach David Fizdale informed him Wednesday morning that he'd be starting in the game due to an injury to Luke Kornet. But not only did Kanter not start, he never left the bench in the 114-110 loss at Madison Square Garden.
"I want to play basketball," Kanter told reporters in the locker room after the game. "We're all competitors. I want to play basketball. So just if you're going to play me here, play me. If not, then just get me out of here.
"My job right now is just cheer for my teammates and try to be a good teammate, (but) what they're doing to me is pretty messed up. I deserve way better."
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Fizdale went with a smaller, quicker starting lineup that included Noah Vonleh and Lance Thomas in the low post.
"I was thinking how much speed I can keep on the floor to just balance it and keep up with him (James Harden) and be able to challenge him," Fizdale said. Harden scored 61 poitns for Houston.
Kanter has been demoted in the Knicks' rotation as the organization tries to develop young centers Mitchell Robinson and Kornet.
"It's tough because they're trying to give the young guys a lot of minutes and get them better, but it's not like I'm 32, 33 years old," Kanter said. "I'm 26 years old, and I want to go out there and compete and play basketball."
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The Knicks have been listening to trade offers for Kanter, who is earning $18.6 million in the final year of his contract. One deal they were reportedly considering involved sending Kanter to Sacramento in exchange for power forward Zach Randolph.
In 42 games this season (23 starts), Kanter is averaged 14.4 points and 10.8 rebounds.
