3 Luke Kornet replacements the Boston Celtics should pursue
As the Boston Celtics adjust their roster with the aspirations of competing for their 18th NBA Championship after a disappointing end to the 2022-23 campaign, one of their top priorities must be improving the depth they have at the center spot.
To do so, they should consider replacing Luke Kornet.
The Celtics have enjoyed the strong tandem of Al Horford and Robert Williams III as their top frontcourt options. When the duo gets their break on the bench, however, Kornet and Grant Williams were typically the main secondary options.
While Williams saw his playing time become inconsistent during the regular season as it was most noticeable in the playoffs, Kornet lost his spot in the rotation as Boston reached the conference finals and was one win away from completing a 3-0 series comeback and advancing to the NBA Finals before falling to Miami.
After playing a career-high 69 games while averaging 3.8 points and 2.9 rebounds in 11.7 minutes of action during the regular season, Kornet nearly became nonexistent in the postseason. He appeared in eight contests, only getting four minutes of playing time in each of them.
Even though Kornet made himself serviceable mainly for the first half of the regular season when Boston didn’t have Robert Williams III due to injury, the team should move on from him to search for a more significant upgrade.
There are certain big men available on the open market who can play a similar role without losing their effectiveness on the court during deep playoff runs.
Here are 3 potential candidates the Boston Celtics should consider replacing Luke Kornet with
Thomas Bryant
Occasionally, teams can benefit from second chances, and the Boston Celtics have the opportunity to capitalize by pursuing Thomas Bryant in free agency.
Last offseason, Bryant opted for the Los Angeles Lakers over Boston. However, after being traded to the Denver Nuggets and subsequently winning the NBA Finals against Miami, he now seeks a situation where he can secure consistent playing time that aligns with his skillset as a talented big man.
During his time with the Lakers, Bryant displayed high efficiency around the rim, averaging 12.1 points and 6.8 rebounds on an impressive 65.4 percent shooting from the field across 41 games. Upon his arrival in Denver, his playing time diminished as he assumed a limited bench role for 18 regular-season games. Nevertheless, he embraced his role, recognizing the greater achievement of earning an NBA championship.
Bryant’s strengths include his assertiveness in the post, proficiency in jump shots from inside the paint and mid-range, the ability to occasionally knock down three-pointers, and his physicality as a defender. These qualities make him an enticing target for teams in free agency, with the potential for substantial rewards.
If the Boston Celtics were to part ways with Grant Williams, incorporating Bryant into the rotation and allowing Horford to assume his natural power forward position could significantly benefit the team, particularly during stretches when they transition to the second unit.