Free Agency News: Spurs sign Luke Kornet to 4-year, $41 million contract
Kornet may not be the center that you want, but he's certainly the one you need
The San Antonio Spurs have made their first signing of the 2025 free agency. They signed former Boston Celtics center, Luke Kornet, to a four-year, $41 million contract.
Kornet ends his three-and-a-half-year tenure with the Celtics. Last season, he averaged 6.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, and 1.0 blocks in 18.6 minutes per game. The soon-to-be 30-year-old also won a title with Boston in 2024.
To sign Kornet, the Spurs utilized roughly 70% of their mid-level exception, which is worth approximately $10 million per year. This leaves a little room for the Spurs to make another acquisition. The first three years of his contract are guaranteed with there being a team option for the fourth year.
Kornet’s impact goes beyond the box score. Per Synergy Basketball, the 7-foot-1 center finished fourth last season in field goal percentage allowed inside the restricted area defensively among players facing over 250 shots. The only players above him were Oklahoma City Thunder forward/center Chet Holmgren, San Antonio Spurs center Victor Wembanyama, and Dallas Mavericks center Daniel Gafford.
Kornet also had a total rebounding percentage of 15.5% and a block percentage of 4.8%, those percentages would’ve been tied for 22nd and tied for ninth out of all qualified players, respectively. One of the best traits about his interior defense is that he contests without fouling, as he only recorded 1.6 fouls per game last season. San Antonio adds a much-needed defensive big who can control the paint when Wembanyama needs a breather.
The Kornet signing fills the hole the Spurs have had at backup center since trading Zach Collins to the Chicago Bulls as part of the trade that landed De’Aaron Fox from the Sacramento Kings.
This is merely the first move made by the Spurs in free agency, and with some spending room still available, it might not be the last General Manager Brian Wright and the rest of the front office make this summer.