The San Antonio Spurs landed one of the best signings this offseason, inking Luke Kornet to a four-year deal to serve as Victor Wembanyama's backup.
The San Antonio Spurs are coming off a 105-95 road win over the Boston Celtics, led by De'Aaron Fox and Victor Wembanyama, who each offered 21 points. While Injuries have caused Wembanyama to come off the bench in nine of his 24 games, he remains the "starting" center and the franchise centerpiece.
However, Luke Kornet, signed to a four-year deal to back Wembanyama up, has been elite all season in his role. The nine-year veteran is averaging a career-high 8.3 points per game to go with 6.7 boards, also a career high.
After winning a title with the Celtics in 2024, the journeyman cemented himself as a winning player, and the Spurs snatched him up in one of the most underrated moves of the summer.
Kornet Gets Derrick White Treatment
During his time with the Celtics, Kornet wasn't a star, although his embrace of being a role player and doing whatever it takes to win quickly endeared him to Boston fans, who continue to wish him well even as he plays for an opponent.
Derrick White, who started his career with the Spurs before being traded to the Celtics in an effort to tank, faced a similar situation.
Both Kornet and White are warmly welcomed back by their old teams and fanbases. They left Boston and San Antonio with no drama or reason for animosity, ensuring that they will remain folk heroes on the teams where they first found individual success.
"I obviously appreciate my time here," Kornet said after the game, where he scored five points. "I have nothing but positive things to say about the organization and really just all the people in it. I'm really grateful."
As is customary in the NBA, the Celtics gave their former player an extra introduction and a tribute video, which was appreciated.
"I appreciate the fans and all that they've done and meant and obviously having an ovation," he added. "So that's pretty cool. And yeah, once again, just kind of grateful for this time in life and place in life."
In the modern NBA, which is often full of player disputes and trade demands, it's nice to see that the Spurs and Celtics have been able to appreciate the successes that their former players found elsewhere.