The Boston Celtics did not want to see Luke Kornet walk out the door this summer. However, the punitive nature of the NBA's collective bargaining agreement forced their hand.
Boston spent the last two seasons operating over the second apron. That aggressive approach, going all-in before the full effects of the new CBA took hold, helped deliver a championship. However, they had to prioritize flexibility this offseason.
That allowed the San Antonio Spurs to swoop in and sign Kornet. John Hollinger of The Athletic deemed it one of the smartest moves of the offseason.
"The Spurs' landing of Kornet with the bulk of their non-taxpayer midlevel exception [four years, $41 million] was a strong piece of business," declared the former vice president of basketball operations for the Memphis Grizzlies.
"San Antonio wisely targeted a player it knew wouldn't be retained by his original team [the Boston Celtics were in cost-cutting mode]. Kornet also fit the Spurs' need for a banger to play behind — and occasionally alongside — Victor Wembanyama absolutely perfectly."
That acquisition has quickly paid dividends.
The Celtics miss Luke Kornet
Back in his home state, the seven-foot-one center is generating 8.4 points, 6.7 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.4 blocks per game. He's playing just under 25 minutes per contest and has started in 21 of his 29 appearances in his first season in San Antonio.
Furthermore, Kornet capably stepped into the starting lineup when Victor Wembanyama went down. He helped stabilize the first unit in the absence of the Spurs' star center. He can also operate effectively alongside him.
However, when reflecting on what he misses most about Kornet, Neemias Queta, who built a tight bond with him in Boston, highlighted another aspect of what the Celtics miss with him no longer a part of their locker room.
"Hilarious teammate," voiced Queta after shootaround before Friday's game against the Toronto Raptors. "Great guy, great person to be around," said Queta with a smile. "I've got so many memories with him. And the main memory I get from him is just how funny it was. Like, just every day, how much he would come out here, lift everybody's spirits up. Hilarious guy. Hilarious. That's the main thing, just how funny he is."
Queta's comments co-sign what Bill Simmons recently shared on his self-named podcast about Kornet being the player who left this offseason that Celtics fans miss the most.