Enes

Freedom

We might have seen the last of Freedom in an NBA uniform as it seems like the market for his services is barren. He was waived by the Rockets in February after being traded by the Celtics for Daniel Theis. Freedom holds career averages of 11.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game in 748 career games spanning 11 seasons. There is always a chance that a team could take a flyer on Freedom at some point, but given his current circumstances, it might be time to take his talents internationally, which also will be complicated.

Freedom was acquired from the Celtics just before the trade deadline, and the feeling was that he would not play a game for the Rockets. Sure enough, it’s being reported that the team will waive the veteran. Freedom could be an option for a playoff-bound team looking to improve its interior depth.

Freedom, Fernando, and Dennis Schroder are all headed to Houston, with the Celtics receiving Daniel Theis in return. In the case of Freedom, he could make for an attractive buyout candidate, as he’ll be a free agent this summer. Houston moving Theis ensures that Alperen Sengun will get all the minutes that he can handle, which is great news for managers who have him rostered. Fernando wasn’t a rotation player in Boston, and that’s unlikely to change in Houston.

The Celtics have tried starting Robert Williams, Al Horford, and Grant Williams with Freedom and Jayson Tatum in league protocols. Freedom should have a pretty good size role when he returns, especially with Robert Williams (toe) listed as questionable.

He becomes the 8th Celtic in the protocols. With Al Horford and Grant Williams expected to beat Enes back to the active list, he’s safe to leave on the wire everywhere.

With Al Horford out due to protocols and Robert Williams out for personal reasons, Freedom drew his first start of the season and surprisingly led the Celtics in minutes. He’s averaging a career-high 16.5 rebounds per-36 minutes this season, and Freedom is a double-double threat anytime he gets substantial run. He’s worth streaming for as long as Williams and Horford are out as a strong source of rebounds who can provide useful scoring and the occasional defensive stat.

Freedom is now the defacto starting center in Boston with none of the other bigs available, so he could be someone to think about as a streamer tonight. Schroder will replace Aaron Nesmith in the first unit, and Nesmith’s value will take a significant hit with the return to the reserve role.

Williams wasn’t on any of the previous injury reports, so this is a rather abrupt absence, and we hope everything is okay with him. With Grant Williams, Al Horford, Jabari Parker and Bruno Fernando all in quarantine, we might see Enes Freedom log heavy minutes as a starter tonight.

With Al Horford (health and safety protocols) sidelined, the Time Lord will have to defend the paint by himself for the foreseeable future. He was solid Saturday night and could have gone for a double-double if not for some early foul trouble. While Horford’s absence means that Williams is Boston’s top option in the post, it has also resulted in Enes Freedom getting rotation minutes. He played 21 Saturday night, accounting for four points, eight rebounds, one assist, and one blocked shot. While Williams should already be rostered in most leagues, Freedom is at best a deep-league streamer.

The Celtics now have four players in league protocols, leaving them with two active big men for their matchup with the Warriors. Robert Williams and Enes Freedom will see heavy minutes and should provide excellent DFS numbers. The Celtics play Friday and Saturday this week and play three more games next week. Williams and Freedom are worth having on your roster if the other big men remain out.