loading . . . A moment of appreciation for Luke Kornet, the ultimate teammate Luke Kornet rises up to alter a Keldon Johnson shot. | Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images
People started to realize just how great he is at the end of his time with the Celtics.
Perhaps it was naive of me, but I genuinely thought the Celtics would get creative and find a way to keep Luke Kornet.
Jrue Holiday? Too bad, but it had to be done. Kristaps Porzingis? Also a bummer, but it felt inevitable. But not Luke. No way.
When Kornet first came to Boston, Celtics fans generally thought of him as a serviceable backup big who could eat up minutes and played the game the right way. All those things are still true, but as it turned out, he had a lot more to offer than anyone around these parts realized (except for maybe Brad Stevens).
> Free agent center Luke Kornet has agreed to a four-year, $41 million deal with the San Antonio Spurs, sources tell ESPN. Key frontcourt addition for the Spurs, who negotiated a contract tonight with Kornet's agent Max Wiepking of Gersh Sports. pic.twitter.com/cLnXxWJ2cv
>
> ā Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 30, 2025
Kornet upped his minutes, scoring and rebounding every year in Boston. With more opportunity came more production, and this year, something started to really click as he took it to the next level.
He worked extremely well with Jayson Tatum in the pick and roll, had better hands and touch around the rim than he gets credit for and became a menace defensively. Part of it was simply that he got his shot, but I also genuinely believe he got better.
We donāt always talk about role-player prime as much as we should, but the reality is that Kornet maximized his prime with the Celtics the past few years.
Heās as lovable and unassuming as a scrub who never plays, yet as skilled and polished as a high-level starter. Whatever you need him to do, heāll do it extremely well. Itās rare to find someone who can excel in truly any role.
Whether he doesnāt play at all or logs 30 minutes, heās still going to positively shape the culture of a team. You always knew you could trust him out there.
Kornet lightens the mood with sarcasm, goofiness and enthusiasm, but heās also extremely competitive, has a great motor and brings out the best in those around him. Every team needs a guy like that, but few have one with such a unique gift.
My favorite Kornet clip is this one, where he campaigns to win the Tommy Award.
> Luke Kornet is campaigning to win the 2025 Tommy Award
>
> This might be the single best piece of Celtics content you will see this year pic.twitter.com/wGAxSgBym5
>
> ā Cameron Tabatabaie (@CTabatabaie) April 12, 2025
My favorite Kornet game is this one, where he blocked seven shots and honestly looked like Wilt Chamberlain.
> KORNET WAS KEY
>
> Watch all SEVEN of his blocks... to go along with 10 points (5-5 fgm) and 9 rebounds in the @celtics W https://t.co/66dzWG3Uj2 pic.twitter.com/40ryJ9WWAG
>
> ā NBA (@NBA) May 15, 2025
While itās certainly a tough loss for the Celtics, you canāt help but be happy for Kornet, who deserves this contract. Plus, he goes to a great franchise, gets to team up with and mentor Victor Wembanyama and has chance to help a promising young team take the next step.
If there were a Celtics role player hall of fame, Iād put Kornet in it. Not just for the way he played, but also for the way he carried himself and lifted up those around him.
They donāt make many like him. Heāll be missed. https://www.celticsblog.com/2025/7/1/24459753/luke-kornet-boston-celtics-san-antonio-spurs-moment-of-appreciation
