3 Boston Celtics role players who will pleasantly surprise this season

Luke Kornet

Feeling comfortable enough to trade away Time Lord is enough of an endorsement of Luke Kornet one can need from Stevens; who has long trusted the big man to be an emergency fill-in at the center spot.

In truth, with Al Horford now the first big off the bench, Kornet could be trusted to be a down-low finisher and rim-protector for the second unit. Ditto times two if Joe Mazzulla decides to use a double-big arrangement and Kornet becomes the first big off the bench.

Having stuck with the Boston Celtics organization, it’s hard to imagine Stevens and Co. giving up on him now. Kornet is going to get opportunities, and since he has been such a longstanding pillar in the locker room, his presence will finally pay off with positive minutes at the pivot spot; with the Holiday bump conceivably possible for the 28-year-old as well.