It’s no secret the Celtics have a serious question mark at the center position entering free agency. Boston’s best two remaining centers are free agents (Al Horford and Luke Kornet) and its starting center (Kristaps Porzingis) was dealt away to the Atlanta Hawks this week in a move to trim salary.
Boston’s center depth chart at the moment consists of Neemias Queta, Xavier Tillman, and a two-way draft pick (Amari Williams). With no current spending power on outside free agents beyond offering the veteran’s minimum, it’s no surprise that Brad Stevens spoke candidly about the hope of bringing back Kornet and Horford.
“I think the biggest thing is, as you look at the rest of the team and what we’re trying to do, there is no question our priorities would be to bring Al and Luke back,” Stevens said last week. “Those guys are huge parts of this organization. They’re going to have, I’m sure, plenty of options all over the place, and that’s well-deserved, but I think that would be a priority. At the same time, I don’t want to put pressure on them. It’s their call ultimately. But, yeah, we would love to have those guys back.”
Horford’s market is worth watching (MassLive will have more on him Sunday) but another intriguing free agent to monitor is Kornet. The seven-footer is coming off a career year in Boston in several categories which included a 7-block masterpiece in Game 5 of the second round against the Knicks. By the metrics, the Celtics were far better with him on the court for much of last season. He’s entering his prime at age 29 and has never had long-term security throughout his career. Undoubtedly, he’s earned a big raise and a multi-year deal on the open market.
The Celtics still hold Kornet’s Bird Rights so they can offer him up to a five-year deal and any annual salary up to the max to retain him, technically. However, there are still major spending limitations that Boston has to consider.
Currently, they are still $15 million over the luxury tax line and just a few million dollars under the second apron. Bringing back Kornet without eliminating other payroll puts Boston back above the second apron in a hurry, something the Celtics are planning to avoid this season, per sources.
The Celtics are obviously very fond of Kornet and the feeling is very mutual. The seven-footer has played in Boston for four straight years now and has turned down bigger deals from at least one West team in past years, sources tell MassLive, in order to stay in Boston.
The Celtics may not be the highest bidder for Kornet this summer but they could offer him some long-term security with a lengthy deal and perhaps some assurances that he won’t be traded beyond a verbal commitment. Technically, Kornet is eligible for a no-trade clause in his next contract with Boston since he meets both thresholds of playing at least eight years in the NBA and four straight with one team (the Celtics).
Whether the Celtics want to give him a no-trade clause is an entirely different question but it certainly gives them a potential advantage in contract talks against other teams.
What teams are threats to give Kornet a big enough payday and steal Kornet away from Boston? Let’s examine a few contenders on that front based on need and spending power.
Potential non-taxpayer mid-level exception teams ($14.1 million to spend) with void at center
Spurs: League sources tell MassLive that San Antonio is in the market for big man after not selecting one at the NBA Draft. Charles Bassey is their only other big under contract besides Victor Wembanyama so an upgrade at backup center or simply having another big to play beside Wembanyama makes sense. The Spurs have been linked to former Celtics big man Guerschon Yabusele by Michael Scotto of Hoopshype already as another free agent target. However, league executives told NBA insider Jake Fischer on Substack that they expect the Spurs to pursue Kornet as well. San Antonio likely can only afford one of Kornet or Yabusele with their mid-level but they could certainly put the Celtics in a tough spot if they offer Kornet the full mid-level or close to it.
Hornets: It’s not clear how they plan to attack free agency but they could certainly use an upgrade at center beyond Jusuf Nurkic, who is on an expiring deal. Kornet’s age doesn’t necessarily align with the rest of this team’s core but the need for more size is apparent. At some point, they have to try winning games too. Kornet could help with that.
Clippers: They have their starting center in place in Ivica Zubac but could certainly add another true big to their rotation pending the status of Drew Eubanks’ contract. Whether they have bigger plans than a player like Kornet for free agency is an open question.
Warriors: Whether the Warriors have a full mid-level exception to offer someone in free agency will be dependent on what happens with restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga. If Golden State deals him away and renounces their other notable free agents (Kevon Looney, Gary Payton II), that could pave the way to use their full mid-level exception. They have been linked to some wings as well so it’s unclear whether Kornet would be a priority for them but their center depth chart is uninspiring with Quinton Post and Trayce Jackson-Davis.
Bucks: With Brook Lopez rumored to be departing, there could be a starting center job available here. The good news for the Celtics is that Milwaukee has a lot of holes to fill across their roster and may need to use some of their mid-level to retain Kevin Porter Jr. at the wing. If that’s the case, they wouldn’t be able to give a big offer to Kornet. They also may be in search of flashier moves to keep Giannis Antetokounmpo happy.
Jazz: Utah has shown interest in Kornet during past offseasons in free agency, a source tells MassLive. They have a solid depth chart (Walker Kessler, Kyle Filipowski) at center under contract next year but a Kessler trade could certainly create a big void for them there. Throw in Austin Ainge’s arrival from Boston and this is certainly another team to monitor.
Potential taxpayer mid-level teams ($5.68 million)
Nuggets
Lakers
Knicks
Wolves
Analysis: The taxpayer mid-level ($5.68 million) is certainly the floor for Kornet offers on the open market and a price the Celtics should be willing to pay to retain Kornet. The Lakers need a center but have already been linked to Brook Lopez. The Wolves are set at center after re-signing Naz Reid. The Nuggets and Knicks could both use a backup big and the Knicks have been linked to interest in Al Horford already in multipel reports.
Other notable free agent bigs beside Kornet
Clint Capela
Larry Nance Jr.
Al Horford
Brook Lopez
Kevon Looney
Myles Turner
Precious Achiwua
Guerschon Yabusele
Analysis: Turner appears likely to stay in Indiana so the other top-tier names to watch on this list are Lopez (Lakers have rumored interest), Capela, Horford and Yabusele.
Final thoughts
The Celtics have work to do with other trades if they truly want to afford to retain Kornet and Horford this offseason given the potential for some sizable offers elsewhere for both bigs. Boston’s repeater tax status and desire for future flexibility has the potential to create a tough decision for the franchise as the Kornet market shakes out. Ultimately, Boston’s offseason could go in a very different direction if the Celtics are unable to retain Kornet and/or Horford, leaving a massive hole at center for the present and future with no clear path to address it.
For now, the main obstacle for Boston in retaining Kornet is strictly financial. If Stevens can find a price point that makes sense for his team building plans moving forward and within the team’s budget, Kornet should be back. The open market and subsequent trades across the roster will help determine whether they can find that type of a deal.