The Spurs got the backup big man they so desperately needed. Luke Kornet will join the Silver and Black on a four-year, $41 million contract, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.
San Antonio’s interest in Kornet was well-known. The former Celtics big man was one of their reported targets, and for good reason. After bouncing around the league, Kornet became a key rotation piece in Boston. He was beloved by teammates and trusted by the coaching staff to the point of starting games for one of the best teams in the league. The injury to Jayson Tatum and the spending restrictions that became stricter with the new collective bargaining agreement are likely the only reasons why Kornet didn’t stay in Boston.
The Celtics’ loss is the Spurs’ gain. Kornet doesn’t have flashy stats, but his former team was consistently better with him on the court. He’s a throwback big man who uses his 7’1 frame well by scoring inside and crashing the offensive glass, shooting 67 percent from the field and ranking 31st in the league in offensive rebounds per game despite playing just 18.6 minutes a night. He’s a good screener and finisher in the pick and roll, ranking in the 87th percentile among roll men according to Synergy Sports, but he doesn’t have to get the ball to be an asset, as he creates his own scoring opportunities through hustle.
The more exciting part of Kornet’s game, however, is his defense. The big man allowed a field goal percentage of just 52.2 percent when he was the closest defender at the rim and contested 7.7 shots in that area per 36 minutes. For comparison, Victor Wembanyama allowed 50 percent on 8.8 shots contested per 36 minutes. The Spurs are getting a near-elite rim protector. Kornet is also much better on the defensive board than his numbers suggest. His defensive rebound percentage is low, but the Celtics were better with him on the floor as opposed to off because he’s diligent when it comes to boxing out.
Now, like any player, Kornet has his weaknesses. The biggest knock on offense is that he doesn’t space the floor after abandoning the three-point shot early in his career. It’s unclear whether the Spurs will give him more freedom to fire away from beyond the arc, but it would be bold to assume that a low-volume 32 percent career shooter who has attempted just 22 outside shots in three years is going to find his stroke immediately. On the other end, Kornet is a drop big with limited mobility. His hustle and discipline only get him so far when he’s forced to venture to the perimeter. He’s susceptible to blow-bys and doesn't always rotate in time to contest closely.
Despite those weaknesses, Kornet figures to be a key part of the Spurs’ rotation. Ideally, he’d play 15-20 minutes off the bench, most of which would come when Wembanyama is resting. But there have been rumblings about Wemby wanting to play next to a traditional center, so Kornet could start or share the floor with the star big man. In limited sample sizes, the Kornet-Al Horford units did well on both ends in Boston, so there’s hope that the Kornet-Wembanyama pairing could work. With more teams going with dual big man lineups, it’s at least something that San Antonio should experiment with while always remembering that Wembanyama has the biggest positive impact when he plays center.
The fit is good, and the Spurs addressed a major need. The only questionable aspect of the signing could have been the length of the contract. Kornets is about to turn 30 and already has limited mobility. He’ll be on an affordable salary even at the end of his deal, but as the team gets more expensive, every dollar could count. Fortunately, the last year is a team option, according to HoopsHype’s Michael Scotto. It’s a small thing, but it gives the front office more control over the cap sheet right when they will need it. Considering the contracts big men were getting on Monday, locking down Kornet for around $10 million a year while retaining the option to cut bait in 2028 has to be considered a success.
Kornet is not an exciting name. His game isn’t flashy. It remains to be seen how well he pairs with Wembanyama, if that’s something the Spurs want to explore. What’s undeniable is that he should be a rock-solid backup center that will make guards’ lives easier with his screening, will protect the paint, and will do all the little things that contribute to winning.
The Spurs have not catapulted themselves into contention this offseason, but have gotten better and more well-rounded after the draft and the first day of free agency, which shows they are heading in the right direction.