Enes Kanter Freedom has made fresh claims about the NBA's political culture, alleging former teammate Dennis Schroder questioned LeBron James' motives for public activism.
Freedom also described feeling ostracized by Boston Celtics teammates after appearing on Fox News in 2021 as the former center's comments come amid his dispute with the WNBA over its gender eligibility policy.
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Freedom attempted to attend Game 3 of the WNBA Finals in Atlanta on Wednesday, but says the league tried to move him from his purchased courtside seat to a private luxury suite, citing security concerns.
The disagreement escalated into a confrontation with police outside State Farm Arena, and Freedom ultimately left without taking his seat. It followed his ejection from a Chicago Sky game in August, adding another public flashpoint to his campaign against transgender women competing in the WNBA.
He recalled asking Schroder during their time together in Boston what James was like as a teammate and how he viewed the former Los Angeles Lakers star's advocacy.
According to Freedom, the German guard offered a blunt assessment of James' public positions.
"He said, 'Whatever is LeBron doing is for LeBron,’” Freedom said. “I was like, enough said. We don't have to say a word anymore. Because I used to respect him a lot, you know, for what he'd done for black community.
“But when one of his former teammates said, you know, all his advocacy is for, is for LeBron, that's where, that's where he lost me. But I mean, everybody knows LeBron James... I call him the dictator of the NBA.
“And I think President Trump said the best. You know, he disrespects our country and disrespects our flag. LeBron James is the reason the NBA is woke still. I promise you, once he retires, NBA is not going to be as woke as now."
Those are Freedom's characterizations of James and the league; Schroder's alleged private remarks have not been independently established in the information provided.
Fox News appearance allegedly drew teammate backlash
Freedom also described a divide in how teammates reacted to his television appearances discussing human rights abuses in China as he said a CNN appearance brought praise.
However, going on Fox News to address the same issue prompted criticism from teammates and concern from his coach as Freedom said he argued that appearing on a particular network did not mean endorsing a political party.
Explaining that he wanted his message to reach a broader audience, he recalled the resistance this way.
"In NBA circles, we don't talk about Fox News, we don't watch Fox News,” Freedom added. “And if you do, you will realize that you are going to get cancelled and you're going to get hated on.”
He further claimed some players privately support conservative causes and President Donald Trump but avoid expressing those views publicly because they fear professional and social repercussions.