The San Antonio Spurs made a low-key but potentially high-impact move in free agency by signing center Luke Kornet to a four-year deal just minutes after the market opened. What initially flew under the radar is now shaping up to be a savvy acquisition.
Interestingly, the Spurs have the Boston Celtics’ financial constraints and the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement (CBA) to thank for landing Kornet. Celtics president Brad Stevens acknowledged that the team’s tight salary situation under the CBA made it difficult to re-sign Kornet. That cap pressure led to a major roster shakeup, including trading Kristaps Porzingis and allowing both Al Horford and Kornet to walk in free agency. Now, the Celtics may be left with one of the weakest center rotations in the league, while the Spurs could boast one of the strongest.
Celtics’ Cap Situation Helps Spurs Secure Ideal Backup for Wembanyama
The San Antonio Spurs can thank the Boston Celtics for landing a reliable backup big man in Luke Kornet. While they already have Victor Wembanyama arguably one of the top three centers in the league the addition of Kornet addresses a major weakness from last season.
Spurs fans will remember how painful the backup center minutes were to watch last year. That issue now looks resolved with Kornet, who brings solid, dependable play on both ends of the court.
Offensively, Kornet is an effective screener, a smart passer, and a capable finisher around the rim. On defense, he adds value as a strong rebounder and a standout rim protector. He’s also shown early chemistry with Wembanyama in preseason action, hinting that the two could share the floor effectively during the regular season.
Thanks to Boston’s financial constraints and the impact of the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement, San Antonio may have ended up with one of the best backup bigs in the league.
Luke Kornet Could Help Spurs Revive a Modern-Day Twin Towers Duo
Luke Kornet’s arrival in San Antonio may not just strengthen the bench it could reshape the Spurs’ frontcourt entirely. In his first appearance alongside Victor Wembanyama, the two connected for three easy dunks, hinting at a potentially dangerous two-man game. If their chemistry continues to develop, it may not matter who else is on the court with them.
The pairing draws early comparisons to the classic Tim Duncan Tiago Splitter duo, who thrived despite limited spacing. Back then, only two of their five-man lineup were capable three-point shooters. This current Spurs team, however, may be far better equipped to support a twin-tower setup.
De’Aaron Fox isn’t an elite shooter, but he confidently launched threes last season, averaging two makes per game. Rookie Stephon Castle has shown potential as a shooter, and Devin Vassell is primed for a bounce-back year. Meanwhile, Wembanyama led all centers in three-point attempts last season, making the prospect of playing him and Kornet together even more viable especially on defense.
Kornet’s role could grow beyond just backing up Wembanyama. If the pairing proves successful, it may cut into the minutes of players like Harrison Barnes and Jeremy Sochan. But if it leads to better results for the team, it’s a worthwhile adjustment.
In the end, the Spurs may have the Boston Celtics and the current collective bargaining agreement to thank for landing Kornet. With early signs pointing to him being a major asset both off the bench and alongside Wemby this under-the-radar signing could turn out to be one of the smartest moves of the offseason.
