The Boston Celtics have already traded big-name stars this offseason, but they’re in danger of losing another unheralded performer.
ESPN’s Zach Kram identified the NBA’s seven most “underrated” free agents before the window to negotiate officially opens Monday at 6 p.m. ET. The writer shouted out Luke Kornet, calling the 7-foot-2 big man “the advanced stats darling of the 2025 free agent class.”
Kornet averaged a modest 6.0 points and 5.3 rebounds per game last season, but Kram explained why the 2024 NBA champion is more valuable than the surface stats suggest.
“Kornet rates so well in advanced stats, despite unremarkable box-score numbers, because he does so many little things right,” Kram wrote. “He’s a very good rebounder, especially on offense. He draws fouls and rarely commits turnovers. He’s also a solid screener: According to GeniusIQ’s classifications, Kornet ranked second among high-volume screeners last season in his proportion of ‘die on contact’ screens, which take the ball handler’s defender completely out of the play.”
Kram continued to praise Kornet as a “stout interior defender,” noting that his 52 field-goal percentage opposing shots at the rim ranked between Rudy Gobert and Jaren Jackson Jr. for ninth among 99 qualified players.
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The Celtics could be particularly motivated to retain Kornet after trading Kristaps Porzingis, but Kram thinks the 29-year-old should receive more suitors this offseason.
“Other contenders who want to solidify their frontcourt should give Kornet a call, too,” Kram said. “At the very least, after making just $2.8 million last season, Kornet deserves a raise.”
Kornet has started only 25 games since joining Boston during the 2020-21 season, but he averaged a career-high 18.6 minutes per game in 2024-25. He made a strong case for a pay boost when registering nine rebounds and seven blocks in an Eastern Conference semifinals victory over the New York Knicks.