The San Antonio Spurs, after a very successful NBA Draft, are expected to target a backup center in free agency to round out a frontcourt centered on Victor Wembanyama.
Brook Lopez, Clint Capela, and Guerschon Yabusele seem to be the favorites, although the Spurs could easily put together an offer to entice a league champion to play for his sixth team.
Luke Kornet averaged six points, 5.3 rebounds, and a block last season for the Boston Celtics and has never made substantial money, although that is expected to change this offseason.
As an unrestricted free agent, the Celtics have the means to bring him back, although he can certainly find more money and a bigger role elsewhere, and the Spurs fit the bill.
"Another center target, sources say, that rival executives expect San Antonio to pursue: Boston's Luke Kornet," reported insider Jake Fischer. "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."
Kornet played a career-high 18 minutes per game last season, but depending on who the Spurs re-sign, he could be one of the only centers in town if he comes to San Antonio, pushing his usage well above 20 minutes per night.
It stands to reason that he would get paid like a real role player instead of a benchwarmer.
While Lopez and Capela are better, especially on the defensive end of the floor, Kornet would not be a bad consolation prize for a team looking to establish some winning DNA.
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