The Boston Celtics have five primary bigs on the roster heading into the 2024-25 season: Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, Luke Kornet, Xavier Tillman, and Neemias Queta. Having a deep center rotation is a luxury, but it will be up to Joe Mazzulla to dish out playing time.
Who's the best option? Who's the worst? How will they all perform?
5. Luke Kornet
Last season, Luke Kornet averaged 5.3 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks while shooting exactly 70.0% from the field. In his second full season with the team, he became a permanent fixture in the rotation. And while he didn't always get playing time, Kornet provided vibes that C's fans haven't seen since the likes of Shaq or White Mamba.
In the playoffs, Kornet's minutes were few and far between. He had a 10-rebound game against the Cleveland Cavaliers and always brought the energy whilst riding the pine, but his playing time dropped significantly.
The biggest reason for his place in these rankings is his lack of minutes in the NBA Finals. If he wasn't trusted to play in the biggest games of the season, what does that say about the front office's belief in the gentle giant? That said, perhaps Kornet's apparent wrist injury may have played a part in that decision.
Kornet was the only big man (out of him, Tillman, and Queta) not to receive a multi-year extension this summer, so that could be a tell-tale sign as well.