The Boston Celtics lost much of their championship core last offseason, including Luke Kornet. The veteran big man earned a nice raise last summer, receiving a four-year, $40.7 million contract with the San Antonio Spurs.
During the Celtics' game against the Spurs last week in San Antonio, Kornet got to reunite with his former teammates, including Derrick White.
Kornet joined White on his "White Noise" podcast, where they revealed a funny story from Kornet's free agency last summer.
White said he texted Kornet to stay with Boston, only for Kornet to sign with the Spurs the next day.
"I thought my text would convince you to come back to Boston, but obviously it didn’t mean much," White joked.
Derrick White reveals he texted Luke Kornet to stay during free agency and he signed with the Spurs the NEXT day
“I thought my text would convince you to come back to Boston, but obviously it didn’t mean much… That was bad timing.”
(Via @whitenoisepod_)pic.twitter.com/F2fsvbd4Cq
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) March 16, 2026
Kornet acknowledged that leaving his Celtics teammates was tough after four years with the organization.
"That was a little bit of a hard part, just like the reality of actually going through it," Kornet said. "Those things are kind of like little shots to the heart...you know the relationships that you have and you don't really want to move on."
Kornet added that he "definitely still feels connected" to his former teammates, but acknowledged that the relationship isn't the same when you're not around them every day.
That said, the move has worked out well for Kornet. Not only did he get a nice pay bump, but he also landed with one of the best teams in the NBA.
The same can't be said for some of his other former teammates who left Boston last summer, especially Al Horford.
More NBA: Celtics Star Jayson Tatum Explains Seamless Reunion With Jaylen Brown