The Boston Celtics’ first free agent has left the team.
According to Shams Charania on X (formerly Twitter), Celtics center Luke Kornet has left Boston for a four-year, $41 million deal with the San Antonio Spurs.
“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,” Charania’s post said.
The 7-for-1 center played a key role off the bench for Boston the past three seasons. Kornet played in 73 games for the Celtics in the 2024-2025 season and started in 16 of them. Kornet averaged 6.0 points and 5.3 rebounds.
Kornet also played in 11 of Boston’s postseason games where he made 21 of his 29 field goal attempts. In Game 5 of the second round of the playoffs against the New York Knicks, Kornet had one of his best games of the entire season, scoring 10 points along with nine rebounds and blocking shots all night.
With Kornet’s departure on top of trading away big man Kristaps Porzingis coupled with the likely departure of center Al Horford, Boston’s depth down low has been decimated. The Celtics are now in desperate need of a center.
For Kornet, he joins a Spurs roster that boasts of talent. San Antonio has quickly put together a core between De’Aaron Fox, Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle. Joining the Spurs gives Kornet an opportunity to go for another title.
