Brad Stevens made clear this offseason that the Celtics had wanted to bring back unrestricted free agent [Luke Kornet](https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2026/01/former-celtics-center-makes-surprise-visit-to-garden-before-return.html) into the fold. The key reserve had seen his role grow in each of his seasons in Boston, leading him to become an integral part of the team’s big man rotation last year.
Ultimately, the Celtics were one of several suitors for the seven-footer and the financial realities of staying under the second apron limited what the team could afford to offer Kornet to come back.
Kornet ultimately elected to sign with the Spurs on a four-year deal worth $41 million but spoke to reporters on Saturday at Spurs shoot around about how tough his decision was to leave Boston.
“It was ultimately between San Antonio and Boston,” [Kornet told reporters about his decision via CLNS Media](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_IpSdhd-nw). “I had a lot of conversations with my wife, said a lot of prayers and had conversations about where we are in life.
“It was very, very difficult to leave and we had a lot of relationships (here). We were in a different part of life and kind of being open to wherever God kind of willed us and see where it took us. You sort of accept it and take that step forward and figure it out from there.”
Kornet was already back at TD Garden on Friday night to watch his former teammates take on the Raptors with San Antonio having an off night in town. Jayson Tatum greeted the big man with a bear hug and C’s co-owner Wyc Grousbeck also caught up with Kornet during the game as he watched from courtside.
Several ex-teammates spoke fondly about Kornet on Friday night ahead of Saturday’s matchup.
“Just a great teammate, honestly, is a great leader, and got tremendously better over his time here,” Payton Pritchard said.
Kornet’s departure has worked out well for both sides so far. The big man is posting career highs in San Antonio this season, averaging 8.4 points, 6.7 rebounds and 2.1 assists while serving as a starter in 21 of his 29 games. Frequent injuries to All-Star center Victor Wembanyama have made Kornet a valuable insurance policy in San Antonio, helping the team get out to a fast 26-11 start.
Boston’s replacements at center for Kornet have also fared well this year with Neemias Queta and Luka Garza providing a potent 1-2 punch at the position over the past few weeks. Boston is still in the market for more help at center but the bet that Queta would be able to pick up where Kornet left off is paying off thus far.