THE BIG KISS OFF
Last chance for Knicks to deal Enes
The Knicks have already made an oversized trade-deadline splash, shipping four players to Dallas ahead of Thursday’s deadline.
At least two more players are expected to be on the move very soon.
If the Knicks can’t trade the large contracts of center Enes Kanter and swingman Wes Matthews for an expiring contract and a draft pick before the 3 p.m. deadline, they are expected to be waived or bought out, according to a source.
They each make a difficult-tomove $18.6 million, but a league source said the Knicks still are still exploring trade options.
Kanter, who has dropped to fourth-string center, has heard his last “We want Kanter’’ chant. As for Wes Matthews, we hardly knew ya.
“I gave New York everything I had,’’ Kanter said after Tuesday’s game against the Pistons as if his time here already was over.
Mark Bartelstein, Kanter’s agent, told The Post, “[Knicks GM] Scott [Perry] and I are working together, collaborating and seeing if something makes sense. If nothing happens [Thursday], we’ll put our heads together.’’
By week’s end, the Knicks could have three open roster spots to fill with 10-day contract prospects. Former Westchester Knicks sharpshooter John Jenkins, who recently signed a 10-day contract with Washington, still is on their radar if he becomes a free agent.
Matthews, obtained as an expiring contract in the Kristaps Porzingis blockbuster a week ago, was showcased as part of the starting lineup in Tuesday’s loss to the Pistons.
With a 2-for-11 shooting performance, Matthews didn’t exactly impress, but there is interest in him. The trade market for Kanter, however, is light.
The Post reported the Sixers had inquired about Matthews before they pulled off the Tobias Harris blockbuster early Wednesday.
According to a source, the Warriors will also be intrigued if Matthews is bought out in what could be a worst-to-first scenario for the 6-foot-5 swingman. There is no reason for the 32-year-old Matthews to want to play for the NBA’s worst team — which has lost 14 straight, 27 of its last 29 and stands at 10-43.
At his Knicks introductory press conference Sunday, Matthews said, “The biggest thing is winning.’’
Then he’s in the wrong place — as is Kanter, a key piece in the Carmelo Anthony trade to Oklahoma City before the 2017-18 season, after which Kanter became a double-double machine.
Now he is persona non grata at the age of 26. Coach David Fizdale believes the amiable Turkish big man doesn’t f it his switching style of defense. Knicks brass considers him a distraction — with DeAndre Jordan, Mitchell Robinson and Luke Kornet ahead of him on the center depth chart.
Last week, Kanter kissed the Garden logo to say goodbye when he got a rare chance to check into a game.
“I’ll probably speak to [my agent Thursday] and the next day and see what’s going to come up. “Kanter said. “If nothing happens, at the deadline, I’ll go sit down and talk to them and see what’s going on. Because I don’t want to leave on bad terms. This organization gave me so much. I just want to leave on good terms with everybody.”
The Garden chants have gotten to Fizdale, and the coach’s feud with Kanter will go alongside his rift last season in Memphis with Marc Gasol, a spat that cost the coach his job with the Grizzlies.
“It ’s the difficult part of the business — you n eve r know [where] your next home will be,’’ said Kanter, who is involved in a political war with his Turkish homeland. “I got to wait and see. If nothing happens, I’ll sit down and talk to Scott and [team president] Steve [Mills] with respect.”
New starting center DeAndre Jordan said he’s not worried about being moved. Jordan wants to ride it out and be Robinson’s mentor. The Knicks have told Jordan he could be a future piece (they could offer him the $5 million room exception this offseason, if they use their cap space).
“I’m not worried,’’ Jordan told The Post. “I don’t expect anything.’’
Jordan, friends with Kevin Durant, let out a loud guffaw when asked if he is wondering about the Warriors star’s future.
Several NBA sources believe the Knicks are high on Durant’s list, and he has embarked on a curious nine-day media boycott since the Porzingis trade that opened up for the Knicks two maximum salary slots.
However, the Knicks’ bid took a blow with the Clippers trading Harris, and Los Angeles now has nearly enough cap space for two max players. The Clippers are said to be another team on Durant’s radar. The Clippers also have been linked to Kawhi Leonard.
Meanwhile, Frank Ntilikina is not a given to stick with the Knicks, with Dennis Smith Jr. aboard. But Ntilikina’s out with a groin injury until after the All-Star break. Damyean Dots o n has drawn interest from several teams, the latest Sacramento, according to a source. Meanwhile, the end is near for Kanter. After leaving the co u r t Tues d ay, Kanter admitted he has no idea if he’ll finish out the home-and-home in Detroit on Friday.
“It could be the last one,’’ he said. “If it is, I was happy because the crowd showed me love in the process.”