Fenerbahçe (2008–2009) Before moving to the United States, Kanter played under
Serdar Apaydın's management for the
Fenerbahçe youth squad between 2006 and 2008 and then, during the 2008–09 season, Kanter was a seldom-used reserve for the Fenerbahçe senior team. He played in at least nine games with the team: four in the
EuroLeague and five in the
Turkish Super League. At the 2010
Nike Hoop Summit, Kanter played for the international team, recording 34 points and 13 rebounds. In November 2009 Kanter verbally committed to play for the
Washington Huskies. However, despite signing with the Kentucky Wildcats, the
NCAA declared him permanently ineligible as a collegiate athlete because he received approximately $33,000 from Fenerbahçe in excess benefits. The NCAA ruled that this amount was above and beyond what was considered acceptable. On January 7, 2011, the NCAA approved Kentucky's appeal, upholding that Kanter was permanently ineligible.
Utah Jazz (2011–2015) Kanter, a center, was drafted third overall by the
Utah Jazz in the
2011 NBA draft. Upon being drafted, he said "I'm so happy, I'm so excited. I know the Utah Jazz fans are crazy and I love them. I will bring the team toughness and post moves, rebounding, everything. I will try to do everything to make the playoffs." On December 9, 2011, he signed his rookie scale contract with the Jazz following the conclusion of the
NBA lockout. In 2011–12, he became the 10th Jazz rookie in franchise history to appear in every regular-season game. He also recorded the most rebounds for a Jazz rookie in debut with 11 against the
Los Angeles Lakers on December 27. In the season, he averaged 4.6 points and 4.2 rebounds in 66 games. In 2012–13, Kanter improved his averages in every major statistical category, led the team in scoring three times and rebounding four times, and scored in double-figures 22 times. In 70 games (two starts), he averaged 7.2 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. On March 1, 2013, Kanter had the first 20–20 game of his career with career-highs of 23 points and 22 rebounds to lead the Jazz to a 98–68 victory over the
Charlotte Bobcats. He later missed the final 10 games of the season due to a dislocated left shoulder. 's shot during a game in March 2014 In 2013–14, Kanter appeared in 80 games (37 starts), averaging 12.3 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. On March 3, 2014, he scored a then career-high 27 points in a 114–88 loss to the
Milwaukee Bucks. On December 16, 2014, Kanter scored a then career-high 29 points in a 119–111 loss to the
New Orleans Pelicans.
Oklahoma City Thunder (2015–2017) On February 19, 2015, Kanter was traded to the
Oklahoma City Thunder in a three-team deal that involved the
Detroit Pistons. Two days later, he made his debut for the Thunder, recording a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds in a 110–103 win over the
Charlotte Hornets. On April 1, 2015, he scored a then career-high 30 points in a 135–131 loss to the
Dallas Mavericks. After the 2014–15 season, Kanter became a
restricted free agent. On July 9, 2015, he received a four-year, $70 million offer sheet from the
Portland Trail Blazers. However, three days later, the Thunder exercised their right of first refusal and matched the offer sheet extended to Kanter by the Trail Blazers. On March 14, 2016, he scored a then season-high 26 points in a 128–94 win over the Portland Trail Blazers. On April 6, he recorded a career-high 33 points and 20 rebounds in a 120–115 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers, becoming the first player in Thunder history to score at least 30 points and grab 20 rebounds in a game. In Game 3 of the Thunder's first-round playoff series against the Dallas Mavericks, Kanter recorded a playoff career-high 21 points and a game-high eight rebounds in a 131–102 win, claiming a 2–1 series lead. In Game 4 of the series, Kanter helped the Thunder go up 3–1 with 28 points on 12-of-13 shooting, setting a playoff career high for the second straight game. During his time in Oklahoma City, Enes was a beloved member of the "Stache Bros" which was the nickname for former Oklahoma City Thunder centers Steven Adams and Enes Kanter, who developed a close friendship and matching mustaches while teammates from 2015–2017. Known for their comedic on-court partnership, similar personalities, and shared love for charity, they became a beloved duo during their time with the team. On November 28, 2016, Kanter recorded a season-high 27 points and 10 rebounds in a 112–103 win over the
New York Knicks. On January 26, 2017, he sustained a fractured forearm after punching a chair on the Thunder's bench during their game against the
Dallas Mavericks. He was subsequently ruled out for six to eight weeks. He returned to action on February 24, 2017, against the
Los Angeles Lakers after missing nine games. He finished with four points on 2-for-12 shooting. When Kanter lost his passport and faced being trapped abroad, his teammates,
Russell Westbrook and
Steven Adams, reached out to him to make sure he was okay.
New York Knicks (2017–2019) On September 25, 2017, Kanter was traded, along with
Doug McDermott and a 2018 second-round pick, to the
New York Knicks in exchange for
Carmelo Anthony. In his debut for the Knicks in their season opener on October 19, 2017, Kanter had 10 points and seven rebounds in a 105–84 loss to his former team, the
Oklahoma City Thunder. Five days later, he recorded 16 points and 19 rebounds in a 110–89 loss to the
Boston Celtics. On November 29, 2017, after missing three games with back spasms, Kanter had 22 points and 14 rebounds in a 115–86 win over the
Miami Heat. On December 25, 2017, he had a season-high 31 points and tied a career best with 22 rebounds in a 105–98 loss to the
Philadelphia 76ers. He joined
Wilt Chamberlain,
Bill Russell, and
Bob Lanier as the only players with a 30–20 game on Christmas. On January 30, 2018, he recorded 20 points, 20 rebounds and five assists in a 111–95 win over the
Brooklyn Nets. On February 6, 2018, in a 103–89 loss to the
Milwaukee Bucks, Kanter recorded 19 points and 16 rebounds for his sixth consecutive double-double, marking the longest streak by any Knick since
David Lee had seven straight from February 9–26, 2010. On March 6, 2018, he had 18 points and 11 rebounds in a 111–87 loss to the
Portland Trail Blazers. It was Kanter's 32nd double-double of the season, a career high. in 2018 On October 19, 2018, Kanter scored 29 points in a 107–105 loss to the Nets. A day later, he recorded 17 points and 15 rebounds in a 103–101 loss to the Celtics, becoming the first Knick since
Zach Randolph (2007–08) to start the season with three straight double-doubles. On November 5 he recorded 23 points and 24 rebounds in a 116–115 double-overtime loss to the
Chicago Bulls. On November 11, he notched his fifth straight double-double with 16 points and 15 rebounds in a 115–89 loss to the
Orlando Magic. On November 25, recorded 21 points and a career-high 26 rebounds in a 103–98 win over the
Memphis Grizzlies. In late December, Kanter was demoted to a reduced role off the bench. Kanter was waived by the Knicks on February 7, 2019. During his last game at
Madison Square Garden, Kanter ran out and kissed the court goodbye. He made his debut for the Trail Blazers on February 21, recording 18 points and nine rebounds off the bench in a 113–99 win over the
Brooklyn Nets. In game one of the Trail Blazers' first-round playoff series against the
Oklahoma City Thunder, Kanter had 20 points and a career playoff-high 18 rebounds in a 104–99 win, becoming just the third player in team history with at least 20 points and 18 rebounds in playoff game:
Bill Walton did it three times and
LaMarcus Aldridge once.
Boston Celtics (2019–2020) When free agency opened on July 1, 2019, Kanter and the
Boston Celtics agreed to a two-year, $10 million contract. He was officially signed on July 17. With the Celtics, Kanter averaged 8.1 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 1 assist. His season highs were 22 points, 6 blocks, and 19 rebounds. In the playoffs, he scored a total of 50 points in 11 games, averaging 4.5 points per game.
Return to Portland (2020–2021) On November 20, 2020, Kanter was traded back to the
Portland Trail Blazers in a three-team trade that also included the
Memphis Grizzlies. On April 10, 2021, in a 118–103 win over the
Detroit Pistons, Kanter set a career high and franchise record 30 rebounds, breaking
Sidney Wicks record of 27 which he set in 1975. He also scored 24 points in the game, in which he became just the third player in the past 20 years to deliver a 20-point, 30-rebound performance.
Return to Boston (2021–2022) On August 13, 2021, Kanter signed a one-year, worth $2.7 million veteran's minimum contract with the
Boston Celtics. Following his American citizen status approval and legal name change later that year on November 29, he would change his jersey name from Kanter to Freedom going forward with the season. On February 10, 2022, Freedom was traded, along with
Dennis Schröder and
Bruno Fernando, to the
Houston Rockets in exchange for
Daniel Theis. On February 14, the Rockets waived Freedom. Freedom believed he was waived because of his views about the Chinese government.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver denied this claim, saying “I made it absolutely clear to [Freedom] that it was completely within his right to speak out on issues that he was passionate about.” ==National team career==