The Celtics have scrambled to offload weighty contracts over the past 10 days, hoping to create enough space under the league's punitive second apron to be able to keep in place those parts of the roster the team wants to have on board going forward.
Kristaps Porzingis was sent to Atlanta in what was mostly a salary dump. Jrue Holiday was sent to Portand for young shooter Anfernee Simons, along with some salary savings, though the Cetlics could move ahead with another trade of Simons in the coming days.
If they do move Simons it will be beause the Celtics want to have the room to keep Luke Kornet, the journeyman big guy who has developed into a key cog off the bench--and a sometimes-starter--in the past three seasons. Kornet averaged 6.0 points and 5.3 rebounds, with 1.0 blocks per game, for Boston last season, averaging 18.6 minutes over 73 games.
Feb 6, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics general manager Brad Stevens on the court before the start of the game against the Dallas Mavericks at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
Feb 6, 2025; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics general manager Brad Stevens on the court before the start of the game against the Dallas Mavericks at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images
But keeping Kornet is looking less and less likely. According to veteran reporter Marc Stein, Kornet is being eyed as a potential free-agent signing by the Spurs, who could use their full mid-level exception--$14.1 million--to secure his services.
The Celtics just can't afford that.
Stein reported that the Spurs had interest in Porzingis but, after missing out on him, "Another center target, sources say, that rival executives expect San Antonio to pursue: Boston's Luke Kornet.
"The Celtics' 29-year-old big man, who has yet to earn north of $3 million in any single season in his eight-year NBA career, appears to have a real shot to cash out in this summer's midlevel market."
The Celtics are only about $5 million below the luxury tax's second apron now. Trading Simons ($27 million next season) or Sam Hauser ($10 million) would be required to have a shot at keeping Kornet.