Enes Freedom, formerly known as Enes Kanter was a dependable rotation big in the NBA. He had been on various playoff teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder and Portland Trail Blazers in the past and was in his second stint as a backup big for the Boston Celtics during the first half of this season.
Freedom also decided to change his name and take a humanitarian stance while playing in the league, pointing out that the NBA doesn’t speak on social issues if it affects their bottom line, referring to the league’s continued business in China despite human rights violations in the country. He also attacked LeBron James repeatedly for his role in Nike and outspoken outlook on all issues that don’t involve China.
Freedom has been out of the league ever since Boston cut him after various conflicts with coaching and larger Celtics business interests. No team has picked him up and there has been no reported interest in him for the 2022 offseason. He laid into the league and Adam SIlver for their hypocrisy and alluded to his career being over because of his outspoken nature.
“They’re pushing me to retire at the age of 30. When you talk about some of the uncomfortable situations are happening around the world, and when your organization that you play for 11 years got tied up with billions of dollars with dictatorship, it’s tough. I’m going to push through it. I’m still working out. I’m still practicing.”
“The NBA and Adam Silver is definitely one of the most hypocritical organizations and one of the most hypocritical commissioners out there in the world. They stand up for things until it affects their money or business. Someone had to expose them and someone finally exposed them,” Freedom added.
Freedom definitely has ruffled feathers in the league and could be iced out for non-basketball reasons as result. We saw how the league reacted to previous clashes with China, like in 2019 with Daryl Morey tweeting about freedom in Hong Kong. Freedom also attacking LeBron and Nike wouldn’t have done him favors.
The Turkish center was declining on the court and had very little defensive impact as a center on the court. He was one of the best offensive rebounders around, so there may be some value in bringing him back on a particular team. Looking at the situation he is in, it seems unlikely any team will give him a call to return to the league.
