Expert center Luke Kornet transitioned away from the Boston Celtics during free agency, joining the San Antonio Spurs with a four-year, $41 million agreement. This change from Massachusetts to Texas accompanies a jersey selection change for the reserve post player, who exchanged his No. 40 jersey from his time with the Celtics for a single-digit alternative, opting for No. 7 with the Spurs.
Kornet’s pair of motivations for selecting the new number initiated amusement during his introductory press conference with his new organization.
“I’ve never worn the number before,” Kornet mentioned. “In truth, I believe I’m at a point in my life where, for myself and my family, seven signifies a significant degree of covenant, completion, structure, and devotion. That aspect genuinely attracted me to it. The secondary factor involves my aspiration to perform at one-third of the level that Tim Duncan achieved.”
Duncan, of course, represents an iconic figure in the franchise’s history. The Hall of Fame inductee secured five NBA championships with the Spurs, garnered multiple MVP awards, and participated in 15 All-Star games, emerging as a prominent figure in the sport throughout the 2000s and 2010s. He famously wore the No. 21 jersey — a number three times the value of Kornet’s — throughout his distinguished career.
Should the 7-foot-2 Kornet attain even a fraction of Duncan’s career achievements, he would definitively engrave his name in Spurs’ chronicles.
“I favor multiples and factors,” Kornet expressed. “Deconstructing everything.”
NBA free agency: Celtics experience the departure of another significant player as Luke Kornet is reported to have reached an agreement with the Spurs
Jack Maloney
The $41 million contract establishes Kornet’s average annual earnings at $10.25 million. Conversely, he amassed slightly over $11 million throughout his initial eight years as a professional, encompassing stints with the New York Knicks, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Milwaukee Bucks, prior to his impactful contributions off the bench in Boston. Since entering the league as an undrafted free agent in 2017, he alternated between the NBA and the G League.
Over the past three seasons with the Celtics, Kornet cultivated the most substantial role in his professional journey. He incrementally augmented his starting appearances each season, culminating in 16 starts last season throughout 73 games. The 29-year-old center averaged 6.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, and a block while converting 66.8% of his field-goal attempts in 18.6 minutes per contest as a crucial reserve. He garnered popularity among fans partly due to his engaging personality.
“I’m appreciative of the time I spent in Boston,” Kornet stated. “It felt like a fitting environment for these past years. I’m thankful for the opportunities it offered. But I simply felt a sense of direction, and throughout the process, I sensed that San Antonio possessed all the qualities we desired and offered a sense of tranquility.”
