"So, they will allow talking freely about anything you want until it hurts their pocket" - Enes Kanter Freedom reflects on his comments on China after lack of offers in free agency
Enes Kanter Freedom recently reflected on his criticism of the NBA’s relationship with China in an interview with the Israeli sports outlet, Walla.
Kanter Freedom was the third overall pick in the 2011 draft and has played for six teams in the NBA. He has averaged 11.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 0.9 assists across 11 years in the league. But he is now without a team after being waived by the Houston Rockets,
Kanter Freedom claimed that his lack of offers in free agency stemmed from his comments against the NBA's association with China.
"The free-agency window opened a month ago, and in a normal state of affairs I would have already received quite a few offers. This summer I did not receive a single offer."
"Because in recent months I spoke out against what is happening in China, listen, the Chinese market is a significant part of the business in the NBA. So they will allow you to talk freely about what you want, until it hurts their pocket. As soon as you do that, they will cut you. It is very sad, and unacceptable."
Kanter Freedom also referred to his tweet in which he highlighted the atrocities committed against people in Tibet. China stopped broadcasting NBA games featuring Kanter Freedom's team at the time, the Boston Celtics.
More than 150 Tibetan people have burned themselves alive!! — hoping that such an act would raise more awareness about Tibet.
I stand with my Tibetan brothers and sisters, and I support their calls for Freedom.
#FreeTibet
#FreedomShoes https://t.co/MKxfs1l7GA
Kanter Freedom, however, said he did not regret speaking out and that he was aware that he could be blacklisted.
"I knew in advance that I would pay this price, and I regret nothing. These things are bigger than me, bigger than the NBA and bigger than basketball."
says so
Money over Morals for the “King” 👑
Sad & disgusting how these athletes pretend they care about social justice
They really do “shut up & dribble” when Big Boss 🇨🇳 says so
Did you educate yourself about the slave labor that made your shoes or is that not part of your research? https://t.co/YUA8rGYeoZ
"While I dribble in America, people are being killed all over the world or imprisoned and tortured in prisons. If this is the sacrifice I have to make, I'm ready to live with it."
Enes Kanter Freedom's career in the NBA
Enes Kanter Freedom was picked third overall by the Utah Jazz in 2011 and averaged 4.6/4.2/0.1 during his rookie season.
Kanter's best performances came during the 2014-15 NBA season, when he averaged 18.7 points per game and 11.1 rebounds per game.
Kanter has averaged a double-double in a season on four occasions, most recently with the Portland Trail Blazers during the 2020-21 NBA season, when he averaged 11.2 points and 11.0 rebounds per game.