Boston Celtics backup center Luke Kornet is in demand following his breakout playoff run.
After NBA insider Jake Fischer, citing league sources, reported that rival executives are expecting the San Antonio Spurs to pursue Kornet, one more team has emerged as his potential landing spot.
The Los Angeles Clippers are “a team to watch” in the Kornet chase, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
Kornet has the enviable option to choose who to back up next season: Victor Wembanyama or Ivica Zubac?
But the best option could be to return to Boston, where he is expected to play a larger role following the departure of Kristaps Porzingis.
However, the Celtics are still crunching numbers while the Spurs and the Clippers have the money to give Kornet the largest contract of his career.
“The Celtics’ 29-year-old big man, who has yet to earn north of $3 million in any single season in his eight-year NBA career, appears to have a real shot to cash out in this summer’s midlevel market,” Fischer wrote.
The Spurs will have access to the $14.1 million non-taxpayer midlevel exception and $5.1 million biannual exceptions, according to NBA front office insider Bobby Marks. On the other hand, the Clippers will also have access to the non-taxpayer MLE on top of three trade exceptions ($6.5 million, $4.2 million and $2.1 million), according to Marks.
Luke Kornet is More Than Just a Meme
The 7-foot-1 beanpole center proved he’s more than just a meme — his awkward yet effective way of contesting a 3-point shot by jumping up vertically as high as he can with his 7-foot-1 wingspan to try obstruct the view of shooters from a distance — as he averaged 6.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists and 1.0 blocks while shooting 66.8% from the field.
He endeared himself even more to Boston fans after the game of his life in their Game 5 win over the New York Knicks in the second round with a 10-point, 9-rebound, 7-block performance.
The eight-year veteran played a career-high 73 games last season, averaging 18.6 minutes per contest. In the playoffs, he put up solid numbers: 4.5 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 16.4 minutes while shooting a career-best 72.4% from the field.
Celtics Want to Bring Back Luke Kornet, Al Horford
Celtics president Brad Stevens made their position clear when it comes to their centers after the NBA Draft.
“I think the biggest thing is, as you look at the rest of the team and what we’re trying to do, there’s no question our priorities would be to bring Al and Luke back,” Stevens told reporters.
Both centers are unrestricted free agents.
An avenue that the Celtics are looking at to keep their centers is to offload Anfernee Simons, their recent acquisition from the Portland Trail Blazers in the Holiday trade, per Jay King of The Athletic.
“Looking to continue shedding salary, the Celtics have explored the idea of flipping Simons’ $27.7 million expiring contract, according to league sources. In such a move, they would be aiming to accomplish two organizational directives Brad Stevens emphasized after the first round of the NBA Draft on Wednesday: regaining more roster flexibility and setting up a path to retain free agents Luke Kornet and Al Horford,” King wrote.
The Celtics are currently $15 million above the luxury tax threshold. Offloading Simons’ $27.7 million expiring salary could open up the $14.1 million non-taxpayer midlevel exception that could be enough to keep both of their remaining centers.
