The San Antonio Spurs capitalized on the Boston Celtics' lack of flexibility. They poached Luke Kornet, signing him to a four-year, $41 million contract.
According to Michael Scotto of HoopsHype, the deal will descend. It's guaranteed in full for $21.45 million in the first two years. After that, the third year of his pact with San Antonio has a $2.55 million partial guarantee. The fourth year of their agreement is for a non-guaranteed salary.
Kornet is a valuable addition to a frontcourt led by Victor Wembanyama. However, another benefit of acquiring him is the added levity that helps with navigating the stresses of the day-to-day grind.
The locker room isn't the only place that's on display. After the signing became official, Kornet met with the local media, where he gave them and his new fan base a glimpse into his sense of humor.
Newest #Spurs big man Luke Kornet cracks that he chose #7 because he wants to be a third of the player Tim Duncan was.
Added that he loves multiples & factors. pic.twitter.com/ygvu93g2nE— Nate Ryan (@nateryansports) July 7, 2025
It's paramount to have people around you who make you better. But you also want people who make it fun to come to work. The seven-foot-one center, who has an affinity for mathematics, checks both boxes.
What San Antonio is getting from Kornet on the court
The Texas native is returning home after a career year. He produced 6.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per contest. However, his impact outweighed his statistics.
Kornet teamed with Jayson Tatum to form one of the most potent pick-and-roll tandems in the NBA this season. He's a forceful and savvy screener. His physicality at the other end of the floor was also a tone-setter for the Celtics.
The eight-year veteran has proven effective in double-big lineups while sharing the floor with the likes of Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis. He can function alongside Wembanyama.
Kornet turns 30 later this month. However, if last season is any indication, San Antonio picked the ideal time to pluck him from Boston.
Kornet reinvented himself with the Celtics. He went from a floor-spacing five to making an impact primarily with his size, basketball IQ, and selflessness.
Instead of launching threes, he would utilize the gravity of defenders sagging off him to free up his teammates as they curled off his screen. He also has outstanding body control on the short roll for someone his size.
He gathers the ball under control and is clever enough to manipulate opponents with his eyes. He can get a defender to take the bait, trying to pick off his pass or close out on someone who isn't about to receive the rock. That way, even if his preferred outlet isn't initially available, he has a solution.
Kornet is also a lob threat who has good touch around the rim even when he's not finishing from above the cylinder. His 67.5 percent two-point field goal percentage is a testament to that.
San Antonio will love what Kornet brings off the floor, but the Spurs signed him for what he provides on it.
