Last summer, the first player off the board was Luke Kornet, re-signing with the Boston Celtics when free agency opened. Less than an hour and a half into the process this year, the seven-foot-one center has agreed to take his talents elsewhere.
Kornet and the San Antonio Spurs have reached a four-year deal worth $41 million, per ESPN's Shams Charania.
If it were strictly about the money, the Celtics could have matched this. However, even after getting under the second apron and within $12.6 million of dodging the luxury tax, they're operating with minimal flexibility.
After the first round of the NBA Draft, Brad Stevens declared re-signing Kornet and Al Horford as priorities.
"There's no question our priorities would be to bring Al and Luke back," said the franchise's president of basketball operations. "Those guys are huge parts of this organization. They're going to have, I'm sure, plenty of options all over the place, and that's well deserved, but I think that would be a priority. At the same time, I don't want to put pressure on them. It's their call ultimately, but yeah, we would love to have those guys back."
Keeping Horford in the fold will also prove challenging. Had it not been for Jayson Tatum's Achilles tear, he would probably return. However, the chance to join a title contender on an offer Boston will have trouble matching could outweigh his affinity for the organization and area.
With that in mind and Kornet headed to San Antonio, here is a look at potential replacements.
Free-agent centers the Celtics could pursue
Precious Achiuwa
Achiuwa averaged 6.6 points and 5.6 rebounds in 20.5 minutes across 57 games with the New York Knicks last season. He turns 26 in September.
The six-foot-eight center is undersized, but on defense, he's a switchable center. He also runs the floor well and makes an impact on the glass when he gets playing time.
Looking for a larger role, Achiuwa could find it in Boston.
Mo Wagner
The Orlando Magic declined the $11 million team option for Wagner. He tore his ACL in December. However, the six-foot-11 center was off to an impressive start before that.
In 30 games, the former Michigan Wolverine produced 12.9 points and 4.9 rebounds in under 20 minutes of floor time. He's only 28 and may desire to re-sign with the Magic and continue teaming with his brother, Franz.
However, Wagner, who felt particularly motivated when playing a Celtics team that once jettisoned him, represents an intriguing option if he can return to his pre-injury form.
Larry Nance Jr.
Nance is more of a four than he is a five. However, the six-foot-eight veteran is capable of sliding up a position.
At 32, the 10-year veteran is not the same caliber of athlete he once was. However, he's a smart player who would help Boston's ball movement. He's also a versatile defender who isn't restricted to drop coverage against the pick-and-roll, as more brooding behemoths that play the pivot.
Nance generated 8.5 points and 4.3 rebounds in 19.3 minutes across 24 games with the Atlanta Hawks in the 2024-25 campaign.
Luka Garza
At six-foot-10, Garza is a more traditional center. The former collegiate standout with the Iowa Hawkeyes is still trying to find his way in the Association.
The four-year veteran averaged 3.5 points in 5.6 minutes in 39 tilts with the Minnesota Timberwolves last season.
However, given the Celtics' financial limitations, Garza represents an upside play that could at least provide inexpensive depth at a position of need.
Sandro Mamukelashvili
Perhaps Boston responds to the Spurs poaching Kornet by signing Mamukelashvili from San Antonio.
The six-foot-11 center produced 6.3 points and 3.1 rebounds in 11.2 minutes of playing time spanning 61 games in the 2024-25 campaign. The 26-year-old also can space the floor. Mamukelashvili knocked down 37.3 percent of the 2.6 threes he hoisted.
He's an intriguing potential option offering a blend of size and shooting at a reasonable cost.
Mason Plumlee
In what looks like a year where the Celtics take a step back, Plumlee represents a stop-gap at center.
The 12-year veteran averaged 4.5 points and 6.1 rebounds for the Phoenix Suns last season. He isn't a three-point threat, but he'll keep mistakes to a minimum and offers a reliable center to involve in dribble hand-off actions. Joe Mazzulla can also trust him with added facilitating responsibilities.
What this snapshot captures is that Boston's free-agent options don't appear like they will do much to fill the gap at center, especially if Horford joins Kornet in finding a new home.
The Celtics' best bets may come through trades. There's also the distinct possibility they'll have to wait a year to acquire more attractive players at the pivot.