Luke Kornet is coming off a career season with the Boston Celtics. The 7-foot-2 big man averaged 6 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and a block per game while shooting 66.8 percent from the field. He was the hero of Game 5 against the Knicks, posting a stellar line of 10 points, nine rebounds, and seven blocks. Kornet is set to become a free agent this offseason and will be a hot commodity on the open market. Recently, Marc Spears of ESPN said the Golden State Warriors should target Kornet. Let’s dive into this possibility.
NBA Insider Believes the Warriors Should Target Celtics’ Big Man Luke Kornet
Losing Kornet Would be Devastating for the Celtics
This season, Kornet was an integral part of Boston’s success on both ends of the floor. Defensively, he protects the rim at a high level with his knack for shot blocking and rebounding. Offensively, Kornet is an efficient source of scoring as a lob threat. Moreover, Kornet’s screening opens up the game for his teammates. He played his role to perfection and elevated the Celtics on both ends of the floor this season. Kornet’s +14.9 net rating was among the best in the league, showcasing his incredible value.
It’s unclear if Kristaps Porziņģis and Al Horford will be back with the Celtics next season. As a result, Kornet could be in line for a bigger role, and re-signing him should be a priority. However, the Celtics are facing an unprecedented luxury tax payment and can’t afford to pay Kornet a ton of money. Given this, some team could easily outbid the Celtics. Despite his importance to the team and likely desire to stay in Boston, it’s possible Kornet finds a new home in free agency. Losing Kornet would greatly hurt the Celtics next year.
Kornet Would be an Ideal Fit for the Warriors
The Warriors turned their season around and made the playoffs after trading for Jimmy Butler . They lost in the second round of the playoffs to the Minnesota Timberwolves after Stephen Curry went down with an injury. Even if Curry had stayed healthy, the Warriors wouldn’t have won a title, they had clear roster flaws, most notably a lack of frontcourt size. Kornet would fill this need and give the Warriors a quality center. Additionally, Kornet is used to playing in a similar system and would thrive with the Warriors. Kornet would provide high-level rim protection and give the Warriors a source of instant offense at the rim. Signing Kornet would allow them to match up better with other teams in the West.
The Warriors have the 16th most projected cap space this summer, according to Spotrac. If they clear even more cap space, they could make a highly intriguing offer for Kornet. While he’s not a star, Kornet is a high-impact player who could make a significant difference for the Warriors. Spears’ suggestion for the Warriors is logical, given the Warriors’ need for a big man and Kornet’s two-way value. Only time will tell if the Warriors will pursue Kornet, but the fit is obvious.
